India has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of an indigenously developed ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday, a development that enhances the country’s nuclear deterrence against rivals China and Pakistan.
The intercontinental ballistic missile called Agni-5, which in Sanskrit means “fire,” is equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, or MIRV technology, that allows it to launch multiple attacks in one go across different locations, according to two senior serving government officials.
The missile technology has been under development for the past several years by state-run Defense Research and Development Organization, or DRDO. With the flight test, India has joined the league of a few elite nations such as the U.S., China, Russia and France that have this technology.
The flight test was conducted from an island in eastern India’s Odisha state, according to a statement from India’s Defense Ministry.
India has been developing and testing its Agni series of missiles for more than a decade as it looks to catch up with China’s military strength. It first tested the Agni-5 series in 2012, and since then has been adding technological advancements to it and retesting.
The country has said its Agni-5 program is in line with India’s stated policy to have a credible minimum deterrence and its commitment to no first-use of nuclear weapons.
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@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
In a world with nuclear capabilities, how significant is it for a nation to have a 'no first-use' policy for its weapons?
@9KWJRZGLibertarian 2yrs2Y
I believe that if we are going to progress as a species that we need to stop trying to destroy ourselves. We need to put down our weapons and we need to work together or we are all finished.
@9KVWC352yrs2Y
Very important I don't think anything is ever worth going to war over, if a country leader want to go to war they shouldn't run a country
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Do you think the achievement in missile technology contributes to global security or insecurity, and why?
@9KW6T9R2yrs2Y
I believe the more militarised everyone becomes, the more unsafe they feel therefore making it more likely that they will make irrational decisions which cause a cycle of increasing tension and lack of trust which pushes every country closer to war
@9KVWC352yrs2Y
Global insecurity because every country want to have nuclear weapons people other countries have them but if all the countries weapons were launched the work would end
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