The 5,000 to 5,500 km-range Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is expected to be ready for induction in the armed forces by next year (2015), even as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is gearing up now to manufacture crucial computer chips for missile sensors so that there is no threat of foreign cyber-snooping.
The DRDO is also developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) — for surveillance over naxal-affected areas — that can be used by the paramilitary forces.
On Agni-V, the DRDO chief Avinash Chander said, “It will take two-three more trials for the completion of the development trials. These trials are expected be completed within one year. We are going to do the trials from canisters this year. After a few trials, it will be ready for induction,” he said. DRDO sources said the missile (which is capable of hitting all parts of China) is expected to ready for induction after about a year. The DRDO is not going in for a higher distance range after Agni-V but is working on technologies relating to multiple warheads.
The INS Arihant — India’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine — is also likely to be operationalised by next year in the Navy after the completion of sea-trials during which the nuclear-capable Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) will be test-fired by the DRDO from the INS Arihant itself.
The DRDO is also all set to freeze the configuration for its ballistic missile defence shield that it is developing and integrated tests are expected to be held soon.
The DRDO is also working on user trials of heavy-weight torpedos for the Navy.
↧
Agni-V induction likely next year
↧