Agni V successfully launched

India has successfully test-launched its new ballistic missile, Agni-5, which can carry a nuclear warhead not just to Beijing and Shanghai but even the Northern-most tip of China - Habin City.  The test-launch, done from Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast (Sep 15, 2013), for the second time in two years, is seen as a major step in India's efforts to become a regional power that can counter the dominance of China.

The Agni-5 is about 17 meters long and weighs 50 tons. It is a three-stage missile designed to carry a 1.5-ton warhead with a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles), allowing it the furthest reach among all Indian missiles. The Agni-3 is India's current longest-range missile and can cover a distance of 3,500 kilometers (2,100 miles).

The versatile missile system can be launched from a road mobile vehicle or even from a special railway bogey where it can be kept hidden and moved around at will.  The first test of the Agni-5 missile was conducted in April 2012 when guidance systems - critical in determining the efficiency of missile - worked perfectly.

The development of Agni-5 began in 1983. Sources say that a few more tests will be required before the missile is ready for induction and deployment, most likely in 2017.

Agni-5 gives India the ability to launch nuclear weapons from strategic bombers and submarines. It will give India the ability hit back or have second-strike capability even after a nuclear attack.

The Su-30 MKi and the French-made Mirrage 2000 aircraft are capable of delivering nuclear missiles from the air. The INS Arihant, an indigenously-made nuclear-powered submarine is undergoing sea trials and expected to join the Indian Navy by 2016-2017.

India has also proven its ability to launch nuclear missiles from under the sea. Over a dozen test successful test of K-15 missiles - nuclear missiles which will be launched from the submarine - have been conducted in the last few years. 

Missiles of the world: A look at countries' arsenals:-

Before India entered into the elite club with the launch of Agni-V missile, only five countries - the US, Russia, China, France and Britain - had the capability to launch nuclear capable long range missiles. Following is the list of countries with their arsenal:

Country	Nuclear capable missiles	Range
Russia	RS-24	10500 km
	RSM-56 Bulava *	8000 – 10000 km
USA	Minuteman III	13000 km
	Minuteman IV *	----
	Trident D-5	12000 km
	Trident E-6 *
China	DF-5A	13000 km
	JL-2	8000 km
France	M-51	8000 km
Britain	It only deploys US constructed submarine launched ICBMs. Britain contributes towards the development of the US constructed missiles that it uses and develops its own warheads
Note: * à under development

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What Agni V launch means for India