Indian armed forces seem to have devised a brutally simple plan to upgrade their war fighting capability: build and deploy all kinds of missiles. Short-range and long-range; land-based, air-launched and sea-launched; ballistic and cruise; guided and so on. In a significant confidence-booster last week, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the most advanced long range missile system Agni-IV. And in a couple of months, it intends to test fire the near-intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V, with a strike range of 5,000-km.

Three striking themes emerge from the recent breakthrough. First, India is fortifying its defence systems with increasing ferocity, with not just missiles of all kinds but also jet fighters, helicopters, destroyers, submarines and even aircraft carriers. Second, in the successful flight of Agni-IV, what stands out is the flawless performance of a range of new indigenous technologies developed by DRDO. According to DRDO technologists, they represent a quantum jump in the nation?s missile technology prowess. Third, with its Agni-V India will gatecrash the super-exclusive inter-continental ballistic missile club, largely the preserve of countries like the US, Russia and China that boast of long-range strategic

missiles with strike ranges well beyond 5,500 km.

The recent triumph caps three successful flights of Shourya, Prithvi and Agni-II missiles conducted in September and has boosted DRDO?s confidence to go in for the Agni-V?s maiden flight in a couple of months. ?The three-stage Agni-V is undergoing integration at the moment…it?s on schedule,? DRDO chief VK Saraswat said, adding that both Agni-IV and V are comparable to the best missiles in their class as far as technology is concerned. The new-generation 3,500-km Agni-IV missile was launched from a road mobile system (it can be launched from a specially designed truck) from Wheelers? Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile followed its trajectory, in a text book fashion, attained a height of 900 km and reached the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal. All mission objectives were fully met.

DRDO scientists said that the Agni-IV missile is one of its kinds, proving many new technologies for the first time, and represents a quantum leap in terms of missile technology. The missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield. ?Today, we have a missile which is lighter in weight, highly accelerating, manoeuvrable and unmatched. This missile incorporated the type of redundancies seen in manned missions, providing for robustness and reliability,? Saraswat said.

The spectrum of new technologies incorporated in the Agni-IV mission included fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) or composite casing for the second stage, ring-laser gyros for inertial navigation system (RINS), micro-navigation system (MINGS) as redundancy to improve the vehicle?s reliability, a powerful

onboard computer system, a multi-channel communication system and advanced avionics. The FRP reduced the missile?s weight, enabling it to carry more propellants and to have a better range than Agni-II?s 2,000 km. The other important technologies that contributed to the Agni-IV?s success were better stage separation systems, efficient propulsion, high-energy solid propellants and powerful batteries.

Saraswat attacked the technology denial regimes that worked against the DRDO developing these technologies. He said, ?All the technology denial regimes that worked against the development of these systems were combated by the DRDO by its developing new materials, composite casting for second stage, the RINS and high-speed processing system for the guidance. The terminal accuracy achieved shows the DRDO?s strength in the development of long-range missiles. The mission demonstrates that the Indian missile technologists are in a position to handle technologically and managerially complex missions. India has come of age and developed world-class technologies. Technology-denial regimes cannot deter a motivated country like India to achieve self-reliance.?

Going forward, DRDO scientists are confident that Agni-V would certainly be ready for induction into the armed forces by 2014, while the two-stage, Agni-IV would become operational by 2013

after two to four more ?repeatable? tests. The 20-tonne Agni-IV and 50-tonne Agni-V are expected to add the required muscle to India?s nuclear deterrence posture against China, which has a huge nuclear and missile arsenal like the 11,200-km Dong Feng-31A ICBM, capable of hitting any Indian city.

DRDO officials said, Agni-IV missile could deliver a one-tonne warhead to a distance of 3,500 km, significantly further than the 3,000 km range of the much heavier, 48-tonne Agni-3 missile. The Agni-IV and V are expected to provide India the required operational flexibility against China as they are endowed with greater accuracy, fast-reaction capability and road mobility. Both the missiles will be capable of striking high-value targets deep inside China.

It seems India?s ICBM ambitions are not secret anymore.