India successfully test fires 5000km range missile Agni - V

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on India's successful test firing of the Agni-V missile, which has a reported range of over 5,000 km. Participants explore the implications of this development in terms of military capability, international relations, and the technological achievements of India. The conversation includes technical specifications of the missile, its classification as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and the broader socio-economic context in which such military advancements occur.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the technical achievement of the Agni-V missile, noting its range and capabilities as a significant milestone for India.
  • There is confusion among participants regarding the classification of the Agni-V as an ICBM, with some suggesting it may be more accurately described as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
  • Participants express concern about the allocation of resources towards military advancements in light of pressing social issues such as poverty and corruption in India.
  • Some argue that military capabilities do not directly correlate with the resolution of socio-economic problems, suggesting that such issues are prevalent in many countries.
  • There are differing opinions on the operational status of the Agni-V, with some sources claiming it will be available by 2014 while others suggest it may not be operational until later in the decade.
  • Questions arise about the term "canisterised missile/launch package," with participants seeking clarification on its meaning and implications for deployment.
  • Some participants speculate on the actual range of the missile, with references to distances to various international locations and the potential for submarine launches to alter range calculations.
  • Concerns are raised about the missile's capability to reach neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, and the implications of this for regional security.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement on various points, particularly regarding the classification of the missile, its operational timeline, and the relationship between military spending and social issues. No consensus is reached on these matters.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the exact range of the Agni-V missile, whether the reported range is a minimum or maximum, and the implications of its deployment status. Additionally, the discussion reflects varying interpretations of military capabilities in relation to national security and socio-economic challenges.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying military technology, international relations, and the socio-economic implications of defense spending, as well as individuals following developments in India's defense capabilities.

glb_lub
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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/w...ccessfully-tests-nuclear-capable-missile.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17765653

India has successfully launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile able to carry a nuclear warhead, officials say.

The Agni-V was launched from a site off India's east coast and took about 20 minutes to hit its target somewhere near Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

The missile has a range of more than 5,000km (3,100 miles), potentially bringing targets in China within range.

India said the launch was "flawless" and the missile had reached its target.

"The ships located in mid-range and at the target point have tracked the vehicle [missile] and witnessed the final event," Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) spokesman Ravi Gupta said.

With this, India joins an elite nuclear club of China, Russia, France, the US and UK which already have long-range missiles, although with a much greater range. Israel is also thought to possesses them.

"It was a perfect launch. It met all the test parameters and hit its pre-determined target," SP Das, director of the test range, told the BBC.


Analysts say the Agni (meaning "fire" in Hindi and Sanskrit) missile family is to be the cornerstone of India's missile-based nuclear deterrent.

The Agni-V is 17.5m tall, solid-fuelled, has three stages and a launch weight of 50 tons. It has cost more than 2.5bn rupees ($480m; £307m) to develop.

The missiles are among the country's most sophisticated weapons.

There is some confusion here in India in the media as to what is meant by ICBM and whether a missile with a range of 5000 km should be counted as ICBM.

Well , it seems to be a great achievement for India technologically . But sad to know that we live in a world where developing countries such as India have to spend so much money on weapons when there are so many problems facing the country such as economic disparity , poverty , hunger and corruption.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
glb_lub said:
There is some confusion here in India in the media as to what is meant by ICBM and whether a missile with a range of 5000 km should be counted as ICBM.
Wouldn't get to Australia, but it would get to Nairobi, Kenya or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IRBM would probably be more appropriate.
 
glb_lub said:
Well , it seems to be a great achievement for India technologically . But sad to know that we live in a world where developing countries such as India have to spend so much money on weapons when there are so many problems facing the country such as economic disparity , poverty , hunger and corruption.

How does one relate to the other? There is poverty, hunger, corruption, and economic disparity in every country and there always will be. Every country capable of sending satellites up and probes to other planets have those problems and you can't trade, for example, a space program for an end to any of those issues.
 
Astronuc said:
Wouldn't get to Australia, but it would get to Nairobi, Kenya or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IRBM would probably be more appropriate.

wrong!
m.ibnlive.com/news/agniv-ins-chakra-give-india-a-deadly-punch/250237-3.html

oh wait..did I miss d sarcasm?
 
surajt88 said:
wrong!
m.ibnlive.com/news/agniv-ins-chakra-give-india-a-deadly-punch/250237-3.html

oh wait..did I miss d sarcasm?

Chennai to Darwin 6258.74 km / 3889 sta miles
Chennai to Perth 6278.05 km / 3901 sta miles /

Madurai to Darwin 6280.9 km / 3902 sta miles / 3389.2 naut miles
Madurai to Perth 6062.8 km / 3768 sta miles / 3271.5 naut miles

Distance between Mukundarayar Chathiram (about 182 km / 113 miles SE from Madurai) to Exmouth, W.Aus ~ 3200 estimated

From distance calculator using lat/long (9.226827 N ,79.368668 E to 21.922663 S,114.082031 E)
Distance = 5128 km, 3186 sta miles, 2769 naut miles

Still short.

I was going on the reported range of 5000 km. The question then is whether the 5000 km range is a min or max range. At 6000 km, that's then possible.


Now there may be some islands off the coast that are a bit closer.

Now if one launches from a submarine, that certainly changes the equation, since then one can launch fairly close to most coastlines.
 
Last edited:


Pengwuino said:
How does one relate to the other? There is poverty, hunger, corruption, and economic disparity in every country and there always will be. Every country capable of sending satellites up and probes to other planets have those problems and you can't trade, for example, a space program for an end to any of those issues.

True, those issues will always remain. I was looking at it from the wrong perspective.

Anyways there is a lot of confusion over the status of actual military deployment of the missiles. Some sources say that the missiles will be available to the army by end of 2014 and some say that it would be operational only by the end of the decade. :confused:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/19/india-missile-china-agni-v
"There's a lot more testing to do. The [Agni-V] may only be deployed by the end of the decade. A lot of the commentary has been over the top," said Manoj Joshi, a security expert and analyst.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni-V
The Agni-V will be operational by 2014–2015 after four to five repeatable tests by the DRDO.[15]
 
Last edited:
What is a "canisterised missile/launch package"?

Nothing in the wiki or the cited articles articulate that, but it's a phrase used throughout.
 
mege said:
What is a "canisterised missile/launch package"?

Nothing in the wiki or the cited articles articulate that, but it's a phrase used throughout.

most likely a MIRV or something similar
 
mege said:
What is a "canisterised missile/launch package"?

Nothing in the wiki or the cited articles articulate that, but it's a phrase used throughout.

It means the system is in a can... it comes with its own launch platform. Easy to deploy by truck, ship or whatever. Can't blow up the launch pad to prevent it's deployment.
Here is a smaller http://www.mikalac.com/mis/pho/patriot_canister.jpg
 
  • #10
It is because of D.R.D.O. proud for every indian that we hve such type of institute
 
  • #11
Astronuc said:
Chennai to Darwin 6258.74 km / 3889 sta miles
Chennai to Perth 6278.05 km / 3901 sta miles /

Madurai to Darwin 6280.9 km / 3902 sta miles / 3389.2 naut miles
Madurai to Perth 6062.8 km / 3768 sta miles / 3271.5 naut miles

Distance between Mukundarayar Chathiram (about 182 km / 113 miles SE from Madurai) to Exmouth, W.Aus ~ 3200 estimated

From distance calculator using lat/long (9.226827 N ,79.368668 E to 21.922663 S,114.082031 E)
Distance = 5128 km, 3186 sta miles, 2769 naut miles

Still short.

I was going on the reported range of 5000 km. The question then is whether the 5000 km range is a min or max range. At 6000 km, that's then possible.


Now there may be some islands off the coast that are a bit closer.

Now if one launches from a submarine, that certainly changes the equation, since then one can launch fairly close to most coastlines.

Chinese experts have speculated that it has a range of 8000kms.
m.timesofindia.com/articleshow/12742984.cms
[...] can accurately hit
targets more than 5,000 km away.
Though I wouldn't want to see the missile used against any nation, I guess Australia is just in range. The actual range seems to be a suspense though!
 
  • #12
Of course it is. If Pakistan isn't in range, seeing how it's a bordering nation, then India would be incapable of hitting anybody with this missile
 

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