TOPIC -‘Agni P’

• The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’.
• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's island off the coast of Odisha was the launch site for Agni P.
• Several telemetry, electro-optical stations, radar, and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast followed and monitored the missile's trajectory and parameters.
• Agni P followed a textbook trajectory and met all of the mission's goals with great precision.

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  Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class (under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Development Program).

  It is a canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.

  Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.

  Many advanced technologies including composites, propulsion systems, innovative guidance and control mechanisms and state-of-the-art navigation systems have been introduced. The Agni-P missile would further strengthen India's credible deterrence capabilities.

  In comparison to other Agni class missiles, Agni-P has improved parameters including manoeuvring and accuracy.

  First Test of Agni-P

  DRDO had successfully test fired the first Agni-P on June 28, 2021, from Abdul Kalam Island. The missile carried two multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV). It is a three-stage solid fuel missile, having the capability of manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV).

   

  Second test of Agni-P

  Second successful test was conducted on December 18, 2021, from the coast of Odisha at Balasore. It is a two-stage Agni-P missile and has been developed with new propulsion systems. It is the smallest and lightest missile among the entire Agni series of ballistic missiles.

  Agni Class of Missiles:

  They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.

  Range of other Agni Missiles:

• Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
• Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
• IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)
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  It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.

• The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
• Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile.
• Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
• Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile.
• Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
• Akash: Medium range surface to air missile.