Agni-P

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Further information: Agni (missile) and Agni-I
Agni-Prime
Agni P Ballistic Missile first fligh test.jpg
The Agni-P, photographed during its first test launch in 2021.
TypeMedium-range ballistic missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byStrategic Forces Command
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass11,000 kg (24,000 lb)
Length10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Diameter1.15 m (3 ft 9 in)
Warhead1x MaRV
(or)
2x MIRV[1] (high explosive, thermobaric and nuclear)
Warhead weight1,500 kg (3,300 lb) – 3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
EngineTwo stage rocket motor with third stage MaRV[2][1]
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
1,000–2,000 kilometres (620–1,240 mi)[3]
Guidance
system
Ring laser gyro inertial navigation system with redundant micro inertial navigation and digital control system. Optionally augmented by GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.[4]
Accuracy<10 m CEP[5]
Launch
platform
Mobile rail-launcher
Transporter erector launcher[3]

Agni-P or Agni-Prime (Agnī "Fire") is a medium-range ballistic missile being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a successor for Agni-I and Agni-II missiles in the operational service of Strategic Forces Command with significant upgrades in the form of composite motor casing, maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) along with improved propellants, navigation and guidance systems.[6]

Agni-P is a two-stage, road mobile and solid-fueled MRBM which is transported by a truck and launched via a canister.It is a ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system. It is the sixth missile in the Agni (missile) series of ballistic missile.[7]

History and development[edit]

Second test launch of Agni-P from Abdul Kalam Island.

Beginning in 2016, various media organisations have reported that DRDO is developing a successor of Agni-I called Agni-1P with two stages that borrowed the newer technologies from Agni-IV and Agni-V to increase accuracy and reliability.[8] India started working on area denial weapons after China developed DF-21D and DF-26B with nuclear capability to counter US Navy which brought Naval Base Guam within its reach. As a counterbalance, the progress of Agni-P became crucial part of India's Indo-Pacific strategy to tackle China's plan of having five or six aircraft carrier battle groups by 2035 to cover both Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean with access to future overseas logistical bases around the region such as the one it currently has in Djibouti.[9][10][11] Chinese military expert accepts that there is a capability enhancement demand in India as far as Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) is concerned. Agni-P test also increases the chance of India to be part of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.[12]

The Agni-P missile with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) capability that delivered the warheads into two separate locations. The missile is stored in a hermetically sealed tandem twin canister launcher and transported through road and rail. It uses cold launch mechanism and can be fired in salvo mode.[13] As per V. K. Saraswat, MIRV and MaRV technology were already on advance stages of development for Agni-VI in 2013.[14]

The MaRV carries four delta fins for the terminal phase of the flight to avoid missile defense system.[15] It is a new class of missile in Agni Series which is half the weight of Agni-III. Both first and second stage of Agni-P are made up of composite material for the purpose of weight reduction, which was mastered during Agni-V project.[16] The missile carries an improved guidance package and propulsion system covering maximum distance of 2000 km with 1.5 ton payload.[17][18][6]

According to analysts, Agni-P is primarily aimed at countering Pakistan's forces owing to the fact that its range is insufficient to reach all parts of mainland China.[19]

Although there were many speculations that Agni-P will replace Prithvi-I, Agni-I and Agni-II after induction, government sources denied any such theory. It is expected that DRDO might develop a "carrier killer" based on this missile.

One of the objectives behind its development is to achieve maximum manoeuvrability against missile defense system and higher accuracy for precision strike.[20]

More about Agni P[edit]

  • Agni Prime[21] is also known as Agni-P.
  • Agni-P is new generation advanced variant of the Agni Class of Missiles
  • It is a two stage canisterised missile
  • It’s range capability is between 1000 and 2000 km
  • It's the first 'decleared' MIRV missile in India's missile arsenal.
  • The weight of Agni P is 50% less than Agni-III
  • Agni-Prime can be launched from rail and road and can be stored for a longer period.
  • It can be transported all across the country as per operational requirements.
  • It can be used to target enemy vessels in the Indo- Pacific ocean.

Testing[edit]

First Test[edit]

On 28 June 2021, DRDO successfully test fired Agni-P (earlier known as Agni-1P) from Abdul Kalam Island which carried two multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) that delivered the warheads into two separate locations.[13] Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.[22]

Second Test[edit]

On 18 December 2021, DRDO successfully tested the ‘Agni P’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system.[23][24]

Third Test[edit]

On 21 October 2022, Agni-P was successfully test fired for the third time to achieve maximum range.[25] This marks the end of development stage. Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is now getting ready to conduct user trials before induction and mass production.[26]

Reactions to testing[edit]

Domestic[edit]

Indian defence experts view it as part of work in progress towards an advance anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) development for enhancing future sea denial capability against Chinese carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).[15] Till September 2022, DRDO had completed design work of another land-based 1,500 km (930 mi) range missile to attack targets across Line of Actual Control with an anti ship variant against aircraft carriers to cover Indian carriers in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.[27]

International[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hemant Kumar Rout (13 September 2021). "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "India's Nuclear Doctrine: The Agni-P and the Stability–Instability Paradox". rusi.org. 8 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (28 June 2021). "Pakistan-aimed Agni-P ballistic missile flight-tested successfully". Business Standard. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Bedi, Rahul (28 June 2021). "India test-launches new Agni-series nuclear-capable missile". Janes. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rout, Hemant Kumar (28 June 2021). "India test fires new generation nuclear capable Agni-Prime missile off Odisha coast". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Agni-P (Prime)". Dristi IAS. 1 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "A brand new Agni missile Pakistan should be wary of". Rediff. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "Agni P spearheads India's major naval revamp to deter China". Lokmat English. 3 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "China using Pakistan for military logistics facilities: US Defence report". ANI News. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "China seeks to set up military logistic facilities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Myanmar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "China takes notice of India's test of 'carrier killer' Agni-P ballistic missile". The Shillong Times. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Rout, Hemant Kumar (13 September 2021). "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (8 May 2013). "Advanced Agni-6 missile with multiple warheads likely by 2017". Business Standard India. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Agni P (Prime): India's ASBM in the Making and its Impact on Naval Warfare". ELE Times. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (21 April 2012). "No intention to cap missile plan". Business Standard India. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "DRDO successfully flight tests New Generation Agni P Ballistic Missile". pib.gov.in. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Press Information Bureau. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  18. ↑ Gupta, Shishir (28 June 2021). "India successfully test-fires Agni P, a new missile in Agni series". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "India Tests New Agni Missile". Arms Control Association. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Philip, Snehesh Alex (30 June 2021). "Agni Prime is the new missile in India's nuclear arsenal. This is why it's special". ThePrint. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  21. ↑ Agni, Prime (19 December 2021). "Agni Prime". Current Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "New generation ballistic missile 'Agni P' successfully test-fired by DRDO". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "India successfully test-fires new generation Agni Prime missile off Odisha coast". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "New generation ballistic missile 'Agni P' successfully test-fired by DRDO". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "India successfully tests nuclear capable Agni Prime missile". The Times of India. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  26. ↑ Gupta, Shishir (23 October 2022). "Agni-P missile moves towards induction after user trials". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  27. ↑ Gupta, Shishir (3 September 2022). "DRDO's conventional ballistic missile design ready, awaits signal for development". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  28. ↑ Liu, Zhen (1 July 2021). "India's latest Agni-P missile no great threat to China: experts". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

External links[edit]

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other


Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/index.php?title=Agni-P&oldid=406167"