The Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which is planning a series
of missile tests in the next few months has a host of challenges before
it to fit into the defence requirements of the country in the light of
the heightening tension in and around India.Sources said, at
least five different ranges and variants of missiles are likely to be
tested by the defence scientists and Indian Army in the first quarter
of the year.
The missiles to be tested from the integrated test range
(ITR) off the Orissa coast are India’s longest range Agni-III, Agni-II,
an interceptor, Shourya (the land version of submarine launched
ballistic missile K-15) and BrahMos.
Shourya Missile
While 2000 km plus range
Agni-II missile is scheduled for trial between January 6 and 9, the
3500 km range Agni-III will be test-fired by this month end.The
three other missile tests will be conducted one after another to gauge
their accuracy and performances, said a source at the ITR in
Chandipur-on-sea.
Defence analysts feel the scientists have to
come out credibly to hold high the reputation of DRDO and to fit into
the shoes of eminent defence scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam.
‘’Challenges are many and it is yet to see how it comes over the
failures of the preceding years.
Success and failures although tread
along, keeping in view the defence requirements of the country, people
have got a zero tolerance level as far as failures of the DRDO is
concerned,’’ they remarked.‘’While BrahMos and Shourya will be
test fired from the ITR at Chandipur from a silo launcher, the Agni
variants will be tested from the Wheelers Island off Dhamra coast in
Bhadrak district.
During the advanced air defence (AAD)
interceptor test, a Prithvi missile, modified to mimic a hostile
ballistic missile with a 300 km -1,000 km range, will be fired from the
Chandipur base and will be intercepted by another missile fired few
seconds later from Wheeler Island,” said a defence scientist.
Defence
sources said, the 2000 km plus range Agni-II missile, which was first
tested in 1999 has a length of 21 meters, a diameter of 1.3 meters and
weighs 19 tonnes. Having South China as the main target, the missile is
designed to carry a one-tonne weapon.
The Agni-III has a range of over
3,000 km and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear
warheads. ‘’India is now developing Agni-V having a strike range of
5000 km which will probably fly in the air early next year,’’ said a
source.Apart from its long range missiles, the DRDO is now
focusing on the ballistic missile defence (BMD) system.
As part of the
project it has already developed two interceptors – exo-atmospheric
(outside the atmosphere) and endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere).‘’While
the exo-atmospheric PAD has been tested twice, the second test of the
endo-atmospheric AAD interceptor will be conducted this time,’’ the
source informed.Similarly, the newly developed 600-km range
‘Shourya’ ballistic missile, which can be fired from underground silos
unlike the Prithvi and Agni missiles will be tested for the second time.It is meant to boost the country’s second strike capabilities.
Significantly,
Shourya missiles can remain camouflaged in underground silos from enemy
surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special
storage-cum-launch canisters. (Original News)
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