India Successfully Tests ICBM. China Unimpressed

The Time ^

[MBT ARJUN]

India successfully launched its first domestically developed long-range intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning, joining a handful of nations that possess ICBM technology. The Agni V missile, capable of carrying a one-ton nuclear warhead, was launched this morning from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the state of Orissa, after a bad-weather delay yesterday. The Agni V was launched just after 8:00 a.m. local time and flew for 20 minutes before hitting its designated target in the Indian Ocean. Officials were thrilled with the smooth operation. “With this missile launch, India has emerged as a major missile power,” V. K. Sarawat, an advisor in Ministry of Defense, told The Hindu this morning. “We have joined a select group of countries possessing technology to design, develop, build and manufacture long range missiles of this class and technological complexity.” Today’s test is part of India’s efforts at nuclear deterrence in the region, a defense strategy widely interpreted as a response to China’s military buildup and ongoing tensions with Pakistan. New Delhi has been beefing up its military might, but even with a 17% hike this year in the defense budget, the roughly 2% of GDP that India spends on its military pales compared with what its regional neighbors shell out each year. The Agni V, which has a range of 3,100 miles (5,000 km), is capable of striking major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, though Indian officials say the military’s focus on developing deterrent technology is not “country specific.”

[GonzoGOP]

The Agni V, which has a range of 3,100 miles (5,000 km),

That range seem a bit short for an ICBM. The old SM-65 Atlas C defines the lower limit for ICBM range and it could go 6000 miles. With a range less than half of that the Agni V is going to have a hard time getting out of Asia. Sufficient to threaten China and Pakistan, but not intercontinental.

[Oztrich Boy]

. The Agni V, which has a range of 3,100 miles (5,000 km), is capable of striking major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, though Indian officials say the military’s focus on developing deterrent technology is not “country specific.”

Just in case the Finns are getting any funny ideas

[Sea Parrot]

3,100 miles will suffice for intended notice to a certain country that India has a counter punch.

[backwoods-engineer]

(Classified) Action Plan for Pakistani Military
-----------------------------------------------
1. Steal Agni V missile and launcher.
2. Put Khan's biggest U/Pu nuke on board.
3. Send on container ship to friendly island of Cuba.
4. In international waters, launch to altitude 250 miles over center of CONUS.
5. Foom.
6. EMP.
7. End of United States as we know it.

8. Hump more goats.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Looks like India’s long time ancient enemy Poland better get that missile defense shield going. s/

[James C. Bennett]

India has launched geostationary satellites weighing several tons with its own launch vehicles. That in itself implies that the country can place a nuclear bomb or five (MIRV / multiple satellite launches) at any location on the planet or the moon.

If India did come out to say it has such a military capability, whom would the message be for? The US. Does India really have a need for doing this? No.

Hence this missile, intended for China.

[SpinnerWebb]

That last one might be statistically and physiologically impossible.

[GonzoGOP]

Hence this missile, intended for China.

My comment was more about the press calling a 3000 mile missile an ICBM. Kind of like how any rifle with a detachable magazine is an AK-47 and every pistol is a Glock.

[VanDeKoik]

Well if another Alexander the Great tries to cross the Indus, Macedonia is screw!

[Scutter]

#8 was a nice touch

[rmlew]

Thsi is an IRBM, but most people don’t know the difference. Besides, it does put Europe and Africa in theoretical range.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks MBT ARJUN.

[MeganC]

EMP is over-hyped as a threat to the USA. In the past few years we’ve had several solar storms that threw far more energy at the USA than could come from even a 5MT device.

And good luck orbiting a 5MT device.

[Durus]

I disagree. It’s not a matter of how much energy but what type of energy and where it’s released. The gamma ray output of a device can’t be measure in megatons so I’m not sure why you would bring this up nor why you would consider it a factor of lift weight. A device designed for maximum gamma ray output detonated at the proper altitude and latitude would be at least as bad as most doomsday stories paint it, and generally would be be much worse.

[MBT ARJUN]

Sorry!!!Mate ,it’s an ICBM when you Put 1Ton Warhead in a Agni5. As many press reported 5000+ range that means Range can be incresed if Situtation demands.

[MBT ARJUN]

Actully I defer from your Post it cleary an ICBm with 5000+ range when it launced with 1.5T warhead.However Put 1Ton Warhead Tadaa!!!ICBM is ready .AGNI 5 stated oficial range is 5000-6000Km.

[decal]

“India Successfully Tests ICBM. China Unimpressed”

North Korea, on the other hand...

[Cronos]

Sufficient to threaten China and Pakistan, but not intercontinental.

That's all they want or need. They have no enemies outside ..

[bert]

Iran is the immediate threat to the entire region.