2. AGNI-V
• Agni-V is a solid fueled intercontinental ballistic
missile
• India's first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile
(ICBM), Agni-V, was successfully test-fired on 19th
April 2012 at 8:05 am from Wheeler Island off the
Odisha coast.
• The missile has been designed and developed by
Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) scientists:
• Agni-V can be configured to launch small satellites
and can be used to even shoot down enemy satellites
in orbits.
3. TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT AGNI-V
1)India will break into the exclusive ICBM club of
six countries including the United
States, Russia, United Kingdom, China and
France once the 50-tonne Agni-V is ready for
induction by 2014-2015, although some others
say unless India acquires an 8,000 km range
missile, it cannot become a part of this club. But
DRDO scientists are sticking to their claim.
4. 2)The Agni series of missiles, including Agni-V, is
crucial for India's defence vis-a-vis China since
Beijing has upped the ante in recent times by
deploying missiles in Tibet Autonomous Region
bordering India.
5. 3)Tipped to be a game changer by DRDO Chief Dr
VK Saraswat, Agni-V will extend India's reach all
over Asia, parts of Africa and parts of Europe.
6. 4)Once fired, it cannot be stopped. It travels faster
than a bullet and can carry 1,000 kilograms of
nuclear weapons. It can be launched using a
special canister. Why, it can even be launched
from a roadside!
7. 5)With a range of 5,000 km, Agni-V, once
validated and inducted into the armed forces
after several more tests, will be India's longest-
range missile to carry a nuclear warhead. It will
have the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead
weighing over a tonne.
8. 6)Agni-V will give India the technological know-
how to launch many nuclear warheads using the
same missile.
9. 7)Agni-V can be configured to launch small
satellites and can be used later even to shoot
down enemy satellites in orbits.
10. 8)The missile can be launched only after a
decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security
(CCS).
11. 9)Seventeen metres tall, Agni-V's three-stages are
powered by solid propellants. The first rocket
engine takes it to a height of about 40
kilometres. The second stage pushes it to about
150 kilometres. The third stage takes it to about
300 kilometres above the Earth. The missile
finally reaches a height of about 800 kilometres.
