IRIA News

India’s Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System on Wednesday. This achievement underscores India’s advanced technological prowess in missile defense systems, as the test validated a “complete network-centric warfare” capability

The DRDO’s test involved an aerial target mimicking a ballistic missile, which was detected and intercepted by the system’s radar and interceptor.

The Indian Ministry of Defense stated in a press release, “The performance of the missile was monitored from the flight data captured by range tracking instruments like electro-optical systems, radar, and telemetry stations deployed by ITR, Chandipur at various locations including on-board ship.” It was crucial in assessing the system’s efficacy and the precision of its interception capabilities.

The Phase-II BMD system is an entirely indigenous endeavor by India. It comprises long-range sensors, a low-latency communication system, mobile command and control units, and advanced interceptor missiles.

The two-stage, solid-fueled, ground-launched system is designed to intercept ballistic missile targets up to 5,000 kilometers and at altitudes ranging from endo-atmospheric (below 100 kilometers) to low exo-atmospheric regions. This is a significant upgrade from Phase I of the system, which had an interception range of 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles).

Phase II Ballistic Missile Defence System successfully flight tested today, meeting all the trial objectives validating complete network centric warfare weapon system consisting of LR sensors, low latency communication system & Advance Interceptor missiles pic.twitter.com/NarnAtzose

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 24, 2024

Agni-5 ballistic missile test

In another groundbreaking development, the Indian government announced the first flight test of its Agni-5 ballistic missile equipped with Multiple independent targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. A photo of the launch, published by DRDO, shows a significantly modified payload section compared to earlier Agni-5 tests, indicating substantial progress in MIRV technology.

Reports about India’s pursuit of MIRV technology have circulated for two decades. Some have speculated that a MIRV capability might already exist for the Agni-3 medium-range missile, currently fielded by the Indian army, although this remains unconfirmed.

Unverified reports also suggested that an Agni-P medium-range missile test in December 2021 carried two reentry vehicles to simulate MIRV capability.

The recent test, named Mission Divyastra, was the first successful demonstration of MIRV technology on the Agni-5. However, it is expected that several additional flight tests will be needed to develop an operational MIRV capability fully. This development is a significant stride in India’s nuclear posture, progressing faster than anticipated a few years ago.

Arms race

India’s pursuit of MIRV capability is a clear indicator of a potentially emerging arms race. This move mirrors similar advancements by other nations, notably China, which has deployed MIRVs on some of its DF-5 ICBMs, and Pakistan, which is reportedly developing MIRVs for its Ababeel medium-range missile.

North Korea is also believed to be pursuing MIRV technology. Additionally, the United Kingdom has decided to increase its nuclear stockpile, enabling more warheads to be deployed on its submarine-launched missiles.

This proliferation of MIRV capabilities comes after the failure of the United States and Russia to implement the ban on MIRVs on land-based missiles agreed upon in the START-II treaty in the 1990s. Instead, Russia is replacing all its single-warhead ICBMs with types capable of carrying multiple warheads, and there is a push in the United States to re-MIRV its deployed ICBMs.

The capability to deploy multiple warheads on each missile is one of the most destabilizing developments of the nuclear era, allowing nuclear-armed states to rapidly increase their number of deployed warheads and develop the capacity to destroy large numbers of targets. This trend is reminiscent of the massive increase in US and Soviet nuclear arsenals during the 1960s and 1970s due to MIRV technology.

As the New START treaty approaches its expiration in two years, the lack of new limits on strategic forces by the United States and Russia could lead to both countries significantly increasing their deployed warheads. This potential arms race highlights the urgent need for renewed arms control agreements to prevent further escalation.