Newer Technology Missile in India – Agni-Prime

Science & Technologies

India has successfully tested its first Canister Bodied Ballistic missile initially designed to upgrade its Agni series I, II & III. This technology is in use in Agni-IV & V. Nicknamed Agni-Prime (Agni-P), the first prototype missile was test-fired from Dr Abdul Kalam island on 28 Jun 2021. This is the first missile trial in the year 2021 marred in Covid19.Design & Developed by DRDO, the missile uses a 2-stage solid fuel technology in the canister body, with both stages having their own composite motors. This reduces the number of the smaller parts and also reduces the weight of the projectile…thus increasing the payload carrying capacity. The payload section of the missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads that could be provided with the already available technology of a single or multiple releases. This means that the multiple warheads can be dropped at different points in its course of travel.

The missile has the laser Gyro actuated inertial navigation system with in-built redundancies that is known for the pinpoint accuracy of the weapon delivery. The present version of the prototype can carry a payload of approx. 1000+ Kg or so, to a distance of 1000-2000 Km. It could replace both the Agni-I & II. The Canister shape design will enable it to be launched from the mobile launcher based railings too.

By virtue of being a Ballistic missile, it has the capability to climb above the atmospheric layers of the earth and then make a descent through the re-entry. The new missile is believed to have a state of the art Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MITV) technology. It is up to the programmed flight path of the missile that it attacks the target through re-entry or directly heads to it with single payload. On these flight profile depend the range.