India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday denied previous reports that there will be a test of its Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), sources confirmed to India Today.
There were reports earlier this month that the Agni-V would undergo yet another test sometime in October while work to develop multiple warheads for the system is still underway.
Previous reports noted that the “user-trial in full operational configuration” of the Agni-V would be conducted by the tri-Service Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The Agni-V, in its current design, carries a 1.5-ton (1,360-kg) warhead.
While no specific date has been released for the next test, it will reportedly be conducted with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles.
The Agni-V ICBM
The Agni-V ICBM (“Agni” literally meaning “fire”), with a range of 5,000 to 8,000 km (3,106 to 4.970 mi), is currently in development by the DRDO.
It is a three-stage, canister-launched missile that is transported by truck and developed with the intent of being able to strike China.
Before the Agni-V, India’s most capable ICBM was the Agni-III, which only had a range of 3,000 to 5,000 km (1,864 to 3,106 mi). With the Agni-V’s improved range, the missile could reach the far east of China.