Agni-V ballistic missile: Why it is seen as India's nuclear deterrence against China

Image Source : REPRESENTATIVE PIC India successfully test-fires Agni V

India on Thursday successfully test-fired nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-V that can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km. The test-firing of the missile from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast came amid India's lingering border row with China. The Agni-V project is aimed at boosting India's nuclear deterrence against China which is known to have missiles like Dongfeng-41 having ranges between 12,000-15,000 km.

With ranges beyond 5,000 km, it can target Beijing. The distance between New Delhi and Beijing is 3791 km.
Agni-V project is aimed at boosting India's nuclear deterrence against China
Agni-V can bring almost the entire Asia including the northernmost part of China as well as some regions in Europe under its striking range.
The Agni 1 to 4 missiles have ranges from 700 km to 3,500 km and they have already been deployed.
Sources said the test validated a number of critical aspects of the weapon.
It is a three-stage, road-mobile and solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile which is transported by a truck and launched via a canister.
The feat made a significant boost to the country's strategic deterrence.
Maximum speed- Terminal phase: 29,400 km/h; 18,300 mph; 8.17 km/s
Guidance system- Ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system. Optionally augmented by GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.
The successful test firing of the missile paves way for its induction into the Strategic Forces Command that takes care of India's strategic assets.
The missile has a very high degree of accuracy to hit targets. It has a height of 17 metres and it is capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne warhead.
In June, India successfully carried out a night launch of the nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile, in a boost to India's military capabilities.
In May, the extended range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was test-fired from a Sukhoi fighter jet.
It was the first launch of the extended range version of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30MKI aircraft.
An anti-ship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired jointly by the Indian Navy and the Andaman and Nicobar Command in April.