Agni IV was successfully tested from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) in its first user-trials. According to DRDO this was the fourth successful trial in a series and the long range Radars and Electro-Optical Tracking systems (EOTS) located all along the coast, tracked and monitored all the parameters throughout the flight. The press release stated that Agni 4 is equipped with state of the art Avionics, 5th generation On Board Computer and distributed architecture, the most accurate Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and supported by redundant, highly reliable Micro Navigation System (MINGS), ensures high accuracy, also the re-entry heat shield is capable of withstanding high temperatures that may reach as high as 4000 degree centigrade and above during re-entry of missile in earth’s atmosphere and makes sure that the avionics function normally, with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degree centigrade.
The test is a boost to India’s missile development programme and will bring India closer to achieving a credible deterrence as far as China is concerned .India already have the short and intermediate missiles namely Prithvi and other Agni series countering a threat from Pakistan. Agni VI and V, the road mobile missile, due to its longer range (the former being 3000Kms plus and the latter 5000km plus) can give India a significant nuclear deterrence capability. With these fully developed India will have the capability to hit any target in Asia, Africa and Europe. India is also planning to develop the new generation ICBM Agni-VI which will have a strike range of 8,000 km to 10,000 km.
DRDO is also working on developing the niche technology of MIRVs (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles). Agni V is believed to carry up to three nuclear warheads.
Next in the line is the test of Agni V in its canister version and the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), K-15 from the nuclear submarine Arihant .Though India lags behind China as far as the number and range of missiles are concerned (as China has this year tested its long range Road Mobile DF-31 A with a range of 11,000 kms plus missile) but these milestones are important in India’s long road to become a truly independent nuclear deterrent nation