Agni 5 Missiles with MIRV Technology, Types and Functions

Agni 5 Missiles with MIRV Technology, Types, Functions

India successfully flight-tested an Agni-5 ballistic missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology on March 11, 2023.

Table of Contents

Context: India successfully tested an Agni missile capable of carrying multiple warheads meant to hit multiple targets simultaneously (Mission Divyastra).

About Agni-5 Missiles

Type: The Agni-5 missile is an advanced, long-range missile, surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- It represents the latest variant in the Agni series, which has been part of the Indian armed forces’ arsenal since the early 1990s.
Technology: This missile is equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)

Capabilities:
- The Agni-5 has a range of more than 5,000 km, categorising it as a long-range missile.
- It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, enhancing India’s strategic deterrence capabilities, particularly with regard to the potential threat posed by China.

About MIRV Technology

Function

MIRV stands for Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle.

This technology enables a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each of which can be directed towards a different target.
The targets can be spaced hundreds of kilometres apart, making MIRV-equipped missiles highly versatile and effective strategic weapons.

Strategic Advantage: The deployment of MIRV technology allows a country to strike multiple targets simultaneously or to overcome missile defence systems by saturating them with multiple incoming warheads.
Global Presence: Currently, the technology is possessed by a select group of countries, including the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, all of which have MIRV-equipped missiles.
- These missiles can be launched from various platforms, including land-based silos and submarines.
- Pakistan is in the process of developing its own MIRV-capable missile system.
- Similarly, Israel is suspected of either possessing or developing such technology, although specific details may not be publicly available.

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Difference Between Cruise And Ballistic Missiles

Aspect	Cruise Missile	Ballistic Missile
Flight Path	Low-level, terrain-hugging, within the atmosphere	High arcing, parabolic trajectory, exits and re-enters atmosphere
Propulsion	Jet engine, sustained propulsion throughout flight	Rocket boosters, propelled initially, coasts without propulsion mid-flight
Guidance Systems	Advanced guidance with GPS, inertial, TERCOM or image-based systems	Inertial, sometimes with star sighting or GPS, terminal phase guidance
Speed and Altitude	Generally subsonic or supersonic, flies at lower altitudes	Hypersonic speeds, reaches extremely high altitudes
Defensive Countermeasures	Hard to detect due to low altitude and potential for stealth technology	Easier to detect at launch, difficult interception due to speed and trajectory
Purpose and Use	Precision strikes against specific targets requiring controlled flight paths	Delivery of strategic payloads, including nuclear, across continents
Examples (India)	BrahMos, Nirbhay	Prithvi I, Prithvi II, Agni I, Agni II and Dhanush missiles.