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During a conference organized by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Defence Minister A.K Anthony has revealed that India is developing a 5,000 kilometer range ‘Agni’ ballistic missile. He added that DRDO has immense capabilities to deliver substantial missile technology which can augment our military capability.
India has been developing a host of ballistic missiles under its missile development programme including the Agni series of missiles which include variants with ranges between 700 and 2,500 kilometers besides Agni-III missile, an intermediate-range, two-stage solid propellant ballistic missile with a range of 3,500 kilometers, which has been successfully test-fired. There is no Agni-IV missile since DRDO plans to leapfrog from intermediate range Agni-III to a standard intercontinental ballistic missile, such as the Agni-V. As for the 5,000 kilometer range Agni missile called Agni-V, it will be test-fired later this year and will be a highly advanced ballistic missile. Agni-V is derivative of Agni-III but it is five meters longer and one tonne heavier.
The Defence Minister has also urged the DRDO to continue its focus on advanced missile technologies. He added that the DRDO must also speed up the developmental trials and induction of Interceptor Missile for a credible Ballistic Missile Defence. Besides, DRDO must not waver from its primary objective of developing weapon systems and adequate high-end critical defence technologies for the Armed Forces. The Defence Minister feels that DRDO’s spin-off products in the civil sector must not affect the development of technology for the defence sector. He added that constant cost and time overruns must be curbed in defence projects since they have had an adverse affect on the operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces.
Defence Minister A.K.Anthony has praised DRDO’s indigenous missile programmes and pointed out DRDO’s exemplary capability to develop crucial missiles indigenously like the Prithvi missiles and its variants with ranges upto 350 kilometers, surface-to-air Akash missile defence system with a range of 25-30 kilometers and the short-range anti-tank Nag missile.
DRDO has also been told categorically by the Defence Minister to maintain effective management of human resources. With roughly 75 scientists leaving DRDO annually, it is felt that retaining manpower by giving credible incentives and opportunities is a must. The Defence Minister indicated that the DRDO personnel at all levels must be given equal opportunities in matters pertaining to career progression and training in order to be a dynamic and futuristic organization. In fact, the Defence Minister has also indicated that the requirements of the soldier deployed in counter-insurgency operations and jungle warfare, including his mental health, must be thoroughly met. The DRDO has been told to undertake extensive psychological research to enhance the mental health of soldiers in order to reduce the stress levels of the soldiers leading to suicides.
Article courtesy of DefenceNow.com
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