(The Indian Express has launched a new series of articles for UPSC aspirants on issues and concepts spanning History, Polity, International Relations, Art, Culture and Heritage, Environment, Geography, Science and Technology, and so on. Read and reflect with subject experts and boost your chance of cracking the much-coveted UPSC CSE. The following article simplifies the MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology and discusses its integration in Agni-5.) The recent successful testing of a new Agni-5 missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology was seen as a significant technological breakthrough for India. As part of its ‘Mission Divyastra’, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested the new Agni-5 missile capable of carrying multiple warheads and striking multiple targets. The development marked India's entry into the exclusive group of countries possessing MIRV capability, which not only enhances India’s nuclear weapons programme but also strengthens its second strike capability. But what is MIRV technology? Why has the development of MIRV capability marked a significant upgrade for India’s missile systems? What are the key benefits of MIRV technology? What is MIRV technology? Amitabh Sinha underlined that the MIRV technology has enhanced the potential of the missile by allowing multiple warheads to be loaded on a single missile delivery system. Each warhead can hit the same location or be guided to hit different targets simultaneously. Contrastingly, the traditional missile carries a single warhead or a weapon to hit a target. Hence, MIRV capability development has marked a significant upgrade for the Indian missile system. However, this is not the latest technology in missile systems. It was developed in the 1960s and was first implemented by the United States in the 1970s and then later by the Soviet Union. Over time, China, the United Kingdom and France have also developed this technology. The acquisition of MIRV technology by India was eagerly anticipated after China developed it in the previous decade. With Pakistan claiming to have tested a missile using this technology, incorporating it into Agni missiles had become important for India. Upgrade of the Agni missile Agni is a long-range missile system indigenously developed by the DRDO. It is the main land-based delivery system for India’s nuclear arsenal. The first-generation Agni missiles were developed in the 1990s, and entered service with the armed forces in the mid-2000s. The Agni-1 to Agni-IV missiles have ranges of 700 to 3,500 kilometres and can carry single payloads weighing 12 to 40 kilotonnes. But the latest variant of the Agni missile family - Agni-5 equipped with MIRV technology - is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy. It uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine. In addition to going over 5,000 kilometres, the Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile may enter the intercontinental range, which is estimated to be 5,500 kilometres or more. The next-generation Agni-6 missile, which is presently in development, is also expected to be equipped with MIRV. Therefore, it is believed that the DRDO’s in-house Agni family of short-, medium-, and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles will gain from the integration of MIRV technology. Agni-5 has undergone multiple tests since 2012, with additional features and capabilities. Its previous flight was in December 2022, during which its nighttime capabilities were evaluated, among other things. Key features of MIRV technology Inflicting serious damages: With simultaneous targeted strikes at a single or multiple locations, MIRV-equipped missiles are capable of inflicting catastrophic damages. The use of nuclear warheads can be more destructive. Launch counterattack: The ability to launch a counterattack with the potential to do enormous damage is another significant strategic benefit. This is especially helpful for countries like India that have a no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons. If the counterattack is too strong, the opposition can be discouraged from assaulting. Difficult to intercept: MIRV-equipped missiles may render the system unusable. Multiple warheads, each with a unique trajectory, can make tracking and intercepting extremely difficult. Ability to penetrate missile defence systems: It is possible to modify MIRV-equipped missiles to carry dummy warheads, which would trick the defence system. It is therefore quite likely that one or more warheads will breach the defence shield and cause significant damages. Use of high-precision sensor and avionics systems: The technology has made substantial advances such as using high-precision sensor packages and indigenously avionics systems to guarantee that the re-entry vehicles reach the target points with the required accuracy. Post Read Question What is the significance of MIRV technology? How does MIRV technology boost India’s defence capabilities? How does the MIRV technology strengthen India’s second strike capability? Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC4ckaj-dJI?si=4TVnjyxT3vt3LS0I&w=560&h=315
