On November 24, 2022, India carried out a successful training launch of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-3 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. This test was a part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SCF), which control, manage and administer the nuclear forces of India.
- The launch was carried out for a predetermined range and attained all parameters.
- Its last trial was conducted on December 18, 2021.
About Agni-3:
i.Agni-3, the third entrant in the Agni missile series, is 16-meter-long missile, weighing more than 48 tonnes, and has a range of 3,000 kilometers, and is capable of carrying a payload of over 1.5 tonnes.
ii.Due to its high range of Circular Error Probable (CEP), it is known as the world’s most accurate strategic ballistic missile of its range class.
iii.It is a two-stage ballistic missile that is capable of nuclear weapons delivery. It also has sophisticated navigation, guidance, and control systems and advanced onboard computer systems.
iv.It is designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Key Points:
i.The Agni series of missiles now includes the Agni-1 (700km), Agni-2 (2,000km), Agni-3 (3,000 km), Agni-4 (4,000 km) and with the longest striking range of 5,000 km is the Agni -5.
ii.With Agni and the tactical cruise missile BrahMos, India can easily take care of targets between 30 to 5,000 kms. The BrahMos can take down targets from 30 to 300kms while the Agni can take care of the ranges beyond that.
DRDO’s Compendium on Low Intensity Conflict Products Released
On the lines of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, DRDO’s Compendium on Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) Products was released jointly by the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Chairman Samir V Kamat, DRDO.
- The compendium consists of more than 100 technologies, systems and products developed by DRDO for LIC operations.
- It will act as a valuable repository of information for the central security forces.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla & Samir V Kamat jointly reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the DRDO and MHA.
Additional Info:
The collaboration between DRDO and MHA has institutionalised the development of technologies and systems for Low-Intensity Conflict (LIC) operations and has also helped DRDO to develop many products and systems required for the central security forces during LIC operations.
The collaboration has also helped in identifying futuristic requirements for LIC operations and defining the roadmap for their development.
Recent Related News:
i.On 5th October 2022 the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested three remotely unmanned, weaponized boats at Bhama Askhed Dam in Pune, Maharashtra. These were tested with no man on the vessel.
ii.During the “Bandhan” ceremony of the 12th DefExpo— ‘DefExpo22’, DRDO handed over 16 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) for 10 DRDO-developed technologies to 13 industries.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman– Dr Samir V Kamat
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 1958
