The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a milestone with the successful maiden flight test of the Agni-5 missile, featuring the indigenous Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. Named Mission Divyastra, the test was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Various Telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles, demonstrating that the Mission met its predetermined parameters, the Ministry of Defence stated in its statement. Announcing the first flight test of the Made-in-India Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed DRDO scientists for developing this technology.
In a Twitter post, the Prime Minister hailed DRDO scientists for their efforts to develop this advanced technology. He said, “I am proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
With a reach extending to 5000 km, Agni-5 is India’s sole contender for the long-range Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) category. Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) are integral to its design. It features several reentry vehicles, each capable of carrying 2–10 nuclear warheads. These warheads offer the flexibility to be designated for diverse targets spread across hundreds of kilometres or directed collectively towards a single location.
What is MIRV Technology
MIRV technology involves an exoatmospheric ballistic missile payload containing multiple warheads equipped to target separate locations. An intermediate variant, the Multiple Reentry Vehicle (MRV) missile, disperses multiple warheads without individual targeting. While this concept is commonly associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying thermonuclear warheads, it is not exclusively confined to them.
The MIRV deployment can improve the effectiveness of first-strike capabilities for strategic forces and enhance the potential for greater target damage with a given thermonuclear weapon payload. Additionally, by releasing multiple warheads, MIRV technology functions like cluster munitions, decreasing the necessity for numerous missiles and launch facilities. The presence of MIRV also diminishes the effectiveness of an anti-ballistic missile system that depends on intercepting individual warheads.
India Joins Elite Club
India has joined the exclusive group of nations possessing Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. Other countries in this elite club include the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia, all of whom already employ MIRV-equipped missiles. The USA, UK, and France utilise MIRV technology on their Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM). China has incorporated MIRVs into its Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), while Russia boasts both MIRV ICBMs and SLBMs. According to an American think tank, Pakistan is also believed to have been experimenting with MIRV technology since 2017.
Ravi Shankar
