Nearly two decades after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, India is now well on course to induct its first intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V following its successful test firing from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile, with a range of 5,000 km, marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards the development of indigenous guided missile system.
The missile, which helps build a credible nuclear deterrent, is now ready for induction into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). Several systems and subsystems associated with the missile, which brings the whole of China as well as parts of Europe and Africa under its strike range, will be handed over to the new Agni-V unit raised under the SFC.
