Why is it in the news?
- The Agni-Prime is a newly developed ballistic missile successfully flight-tested by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha.
About Agni-Prime
- It is a two-stage, surface-to-surface missile designed to be launched from canisters, making it road-mobile and enhancing its strategic flexibility.
- Unlike its predecessors, the Agni-Prime is fuelled by solid propellants, contributing to its reliability and readiness for deployment.
- The missile is equipped with a dual redundant navigation and guidance system, ensuring accurate targeting capabilities.
- With a range between 1000 to 2000 kilometres, the Agni-Prime fills the gap between short-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, bolstering India’s deterrence capabilities.
- Notably, the Agni-Prime is lighter than earlier models in the Agni series, enhancing its mobility and ease of deployment.
- It incorporates several advancements, including upgrades to the composite motor casing, a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV), and improved propellants, navigation, and guidance systems, enhancing its accuracy and effectiveness.
| Ballistic Missiles
· Ballistic missiles are rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic weapons systems designed to follow a ballistic trajectory from launch to target. · They are capable of carrying various types of payloads, including conventional high explosives, as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions. Strategic Forces Command (SFC) · The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), sometimes referred to as the Strategic Nuclear Command. · The Nuclear Command Authority consists of a Political Council and an Executive Council. The Political Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, holds the sole authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons. · The Executive Council, chaired by the National Security Advisor, offers inputs for decision-making to the Nuclear Command Authority and executes directives issued by the Political Council. · The SFC is tasked with managing and administering India’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile, ensuring readiness and operational effectiveness.
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