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Agni-P: Next Generation Ballistic Missile

Agni-P: Next Generation Ballistic Missile

13-04-2024

In April,2024 The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), conducted a successful test flight of the next-generation ballistic missile, Agni-Prime (Agni-P) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

About the Agni-Prime Missile:

  1. Agni-P is a nuclear-capable, advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles (under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Development Program).
  1. IGMDP, started by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
  2. IGMDP was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
  3. The 5 Missiles Systems (P-A-T-N-A) developed under IGMDP are:
  1. Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  2. Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
  3. Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile.
  4. Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
  5. Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
  1. Agni-P is a two-stage canisterized missile with a maximum range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers.
  2. It is the latest and the 6th variant of the Agni series
  3. It is lighter than all the earlier Agni series missiles, weighing at least 50% less than the Agni 3 missile.
  4. It includes new guidance and propulsion systems.
  5. It can be transported by road and rail and stored for long periods of time, reducing the time required for preparation and launch.
  6.  The missile uses a cold launch mechanism and can be fired in salvo mode.

 

Other Agni Class of Missiles are:

Agni-I

Range of 700-800 km.

Agni-II

Range more than 2000 km.

Agni-III

Range of more than 2,500 Km

Agni-IV

Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.

Agni-V

The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.

  • ICBM is a long-range ballistic missile designed for intercontinental distances, forming a critical component of a country's nuclear triad, which includes land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers.
  • They follow a ballistic trajectory, being launched into space before re-entering the Earth's atmosphere to reach their targets.

 

 

How Ballistic missiles different from Cruise missiles?

Ballistic Missile

 

Cruise Missile

 
  1. It is propelled only for a brief duration after the launch.

 
  1. Self-propelled till the end of its flight.

 
  1. It is similar to a rocket engine.

 
  1. It is similar to a jet engine.

 
  1. Low precision as it is unguided for most of its path and its trajectory depends on gravity, air resistance, and Coriolis Force.

 
  1. Hits targets with high precision as it is constantly propelled.

 
  1. Long-range missiles leave the earth's atmosphere and re-enter it.

 
  1. The flight path is within the earth's atmosphere.

 
  1. Can have a very long-range (300 km to 12,000 km) as there is no fuel requirement after its initial trajectory.

 
  1. The range is small (below 500 km) as it needs to be constantly propelled to hit the target with high precision.

 
  1. Heavy payload carrying capacity.

 
  1. Payload capacity is limited.

 
  1. Can carry multiple payloads (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry
    Vehicle)

 
  1. Usually carries a single payload.

 
  1. Developed primarily to carry nuclear warheads.

 
  1. Developed primarily to carry conventional warheads.

 
  1. E.g. Prithvi I, Prithvi II , Agni I, Agni II, and Dhanush missiles.

 
  1. E.g. BrahMos missiles, Tomahawk

 

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