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Agni V Vs Dongfeng-41: A Comparison of India’s and China’s ICBMs

Abhinab writes, the power dynamics of Indo-Pacific region has seen substantial changes in the recent decades. One of the primary catalysts for this has been the advancement of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) held by influential nation like India and China.

The Agni V from India and the Dongfeng 41 from China represent significant advancements in missile technology, embodying a mix of military strategy, deterrence tactics, and regional security considerations. This comparative analysis explores the nuanced characteristics, range, payload capacity, and strategic implications of Agni V and Dongfeng-41, highlighting how these ICBMs impact strategic landscapes and influence security frameworks.

India’s Strategic Deterrent: The Agni V

India’s Agni V, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marks progress in missile technology. Boasting a range of up to 5,000 km, a payload capacity of 1,500 kg, and the capability to accommodate 10-12 warheads, Agni V plays a vital role in India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.[1] In this context, the ability to use Multiple Independently-Targetable Re-entry Vehicle technology significantly increases the missile’s targeting and thus its operational capabilities, making it a potent weapon in India’s arsenal.[2]

Dongfeng-41: China’s Long-Range Missile

The Dongfeng missile of China, on the other hand, is a lethal ICBM developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The missile has a range of 12,000-15,000 km and a payload capacity of 2,500 kg. The DF-41 can handle 10 MIRVs, and its top speed is Mach 25, which allows it to reach distant targets quickly and accurately.[3] Hence, its long range and skill make it a valuable asset in China’s strategic defence system.[4]

Comparative Analysis

When comparing Agni V and Dongfeng-41, several key distinctions emerge:

  1. Range and Payload Capacity:
    • Agni V: Agni V is capable of reaching up to 5,000 km and carrying around 1,500 kg. It is developed to counter regional threats, especially from China.[5]
  • Dongfeng-41: DF-41 has an estimated range of 12,000-15,000 km and can deliver 2,500 kg. Therefore, while Agni V is focused on regional efforts, DF-41 is capable of targeting more distant locations, like the United States and the Western part of Europe.[6]
  1. Speed and Precision:
    • Agni V: With a reaching speed of Mach 24, it zips through distances, enabling quick reactions.[7] In addition, it is capable of pin-pointing precise locations, which further enhances its worth in strategic scenarios.[8]
    • Dongfeng-41: The DF-41 possesses a remarkable speed of Mach 25 and has a capacity to carry up to 10-12 warheads.[9] This marks it effective in executing accurate and devastating attacks that are relentless.[10]
  2. Strategic Implications:
    • Agni V: Primarily designed as a counter to China, on the one hand, it ensures India’s nuclear capabilities and implements a vital element in India’s nuclear arsenal.[11]
    • Dongfeng-41: Portray its perceived long-range capacity to reach global targets. Contextually, it sharpens China’s strategic range and ability to wield power, as well as bringing about plausible threats to regional and global security relations.[12]

Conclusion

In conclusion, the comparison of India’s Agni V and China’s Dongfeng-41 gives nuanced insight of the changing environment of missile technology and strategic deterrence. The development of Agni V with MIRV technology, enhanced range, significant payload capacity, and precision strike capability offset the competitive advantage enjoyed by China in strategic targeting and a credible nuclear triad. Statistically, Dongfeng-41 may appear a notch higher than Agni V; however, it may not present a coherent comparative analysis and give a final verdict. It may be noted that the development of weapon technologies is dictated by threat perception and felt strategic needs. Agni V presages India’s entry into the elite club and is a testament to indigenous capability. The experience gained in the development process can be leveraged to develop multiple versions of long-range vectors and possess credible deterrence capabilities. The fact that such details are necessary to assess the potential balance of power in the region makes this analysis one of its most valuable aspects.

Endnotes:

[1] Online, Et. “Here’s How Agni-5 Divyastra Can Fool the Enemy by Delivering Multiple Nuclear Warheads.” The Economic Times, March 12, 2024.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/heres-how-agni-5-divyastra-can-fool-the-enemy-by-delivering-multiple-nuclear-warheads/articleshow/108429032.cms.

 [2] Ibid

[3] Missile Threat. “DF-41 (Dong Feng-41 / CSS-X-20) | Missile Threat,” July 31, 2021. https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/df-41/. &
Army Technology. “Dongfeng (DF) Ballistic Missiles, China,” August 22, 2022.
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/dongfeng-df-ballistic-missiles-china/?cf-view.

[4] Financial Express. “India’s Ballistic Missile Firepower Agni-V: Will It Cover China?” February 28, 2023.
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indias-ballistic-missile-firepower-agni-v-will-it-cover-china-2995206/.

[5] Mallick, Pritha. “China Firmly in the Cross Hairs, Agni-V Missile’s 5,000-Km Range Bolsters India’s Offensive Power | EXPLAIN.” News18, October 27, 2021.
https://www.news18.com/news/india/china-firmly-in-the-cross-hairs-agni-v-missiles-5000-km-range-bolsters-indias-offensive-power-explained-4372280.html. &
Financial Express. “India’s Ballistic Missile Firepower Agni-V: Will It Cover China?,” February 28, 2023. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indias-ballistic-missile-firepower-agni-v-will-it-cover-china-2995206/.

[6] Eastwood, Brent M. “DF-41: The Chinese Nuclear Missile That Can Strike America.” The National Interest, December 15, 2023.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/df-41-chinese-nuclear-missile-can-strike-america-207963.

[7]Online, Et. “India Joins the Elite List of Nations with Test of Agni-V MIRV Tech: What’s MIRV Tech? How Is It Unique?” The Economic Times, March 11, 2024.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-joins-the-elite-list-of-nations-with-test-of-agni-v-mirv-tech-whats-mirv-tech-how-is-it-unique/articleshow/108397707.cms?from=mdr.

[8] Kumar, Raju. “Agni-V Ballistic Missile: Why It Is Seen as India’s Nuclear Deterrence against China | Top Features.” https://www.indiatvnews.com, December 16, 2022. https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-agni-v-ballistic-missile-amid-tension-with-china-why-it-is-seen-as-india-s-nuclear-deterrence-beijing-pla-tawang-2022-12-16-831580.

[9] “Dong Feng-41(CSS-X-20) – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance,” n.d. https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china/df-41/. & Missile Threat. “DF-41 (Dong Feng-41 / CSS-X-20) | Missile Threat,” July 31, 2021. https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/df-41/.

[10] Army Technology. “Dongfeng (DF) Ballistic Missiles, China,” August 22, 2022.
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/dongfeng-df-ballistic-missiles-china/?cf-view.

[11] Mallick, Pritha. “China Firmly in the Cross Hairs, Agni-V Missile’s 5,000-Km Range Bolsters India’s Offensive Power | EXPLAIN.” News18, October 27, 2021. https://www.news18.com/news/india/china-firmly-in-the-cross-hairs-agni-v-missiles-5000-km-range-bolsters-indias-offensive-power-explained-4372280.html.

[12] Financial Express. “India’s Ballistic Missile Firepower Agni-V: Will It Cover China?” February 28, 2023. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indias-ballistic-missile-firepower-agni-v-will-it-cover-china-2995206/.

 

By:  Abhinab Mazumdar, Research Intern, CS3, USI

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