India unveils new weapon that changes military balance in Asia

India has just successfully launched the Agni-5 missile with a range of more than 5,000 km, covering all of Asia, creating a strategic turning point in the regional balance of power.

On August 20, the Indian Ministry of Defense confirmed that it had successfully conducted a test of the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The launch was conducted at the Integrated Test Range Chandipur, Odisha state. This is an important step in the process of enhancing India's nuclear deterrence capabilities and consolidating its strategic position in the Asia- Pacific region.

Agni-5 is the most advanced ballistic missile in the Agni series, using a three-stage solid-fuel engine with a range of over 5,000 km. With this capability, India can cover the entire Asian continent, including China's political , military and economic centers.

The missile is about 17.5 meters long, 2 meters in diameter and weighs 50 tons. The highlight of Agni-5 is its mobile structure: it is placed in a sealed launch tube mounted on a specialized vehicle, allowing flexible movement and short-term readiness. This structure not only increases the survivability of the weapon but also helps India deploy it in various terrains.

In terms of guidance system, Agni-5 is equipped with inertial technology using ring laser gyroscope (RLG-INS), combined with IRNSS satellite positioning developed by India. Agni-5 warhead uses carbon shielding, can withstand temperatures above 3,000°C during re-entry, ensuring the ability to penetrate enemy defense systems.

In regional comparison, Agni-5 is superior to Pakistan's Shaheen-III (2,750 km) and only inferior to China's DF-26 (4,000 km) or DF-41 (12,000 km). Although it does not reach the range of an ICBM, Agni-5 is still capable of covering all of China, narrowing the strategic gap between the two Asian nuclear powers.

Analysts are particularly interested in the Agni-5’s ability to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). While New Delhi has not confirmed this, the missile’s size and payload could allow for upgrades. If deployed, MIRVs would allow a single missile to strike multiple targets at once, increasing deterrence and the ability to penetrate defenses.

In terms of military doctrine, the integration of a sealed launcher and a mobile vehicle shows that India is moving towards a rapid response model. Agni-5 can be fired in less than five minutes, ensuring a credible retaliation capability, increasing deterrence and making any preemptive strike difficult.

The Agni-5 is capable of striking strategic targets such as command posts, bunkers, and military infrastructure with high precision. While India maintains a “no first use” policy, this capability enhances overall deterrence while creating strategic ambiguity, forcing adversaries to be more cautious in their actions.

After the 2020 Galwan clash, India-China tensions along the border have not cooled down. Beijing has strengthened its military infrastructure in Tibet, while New Delhi has deployed more forces and modern weapons, consolidating its position in strategic areas, making the context of the Agni-5 test all the more noteworthy.

In addition, China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, coupled with its close ties with Pakistan, creates a “two-front” situation for India. At the same time, Pakistan’s development of tactical nuclear weapons such as the Nasr missile, increases the risk of conflict, forcing New Delhi to maintain a strong deterrent posture.

In this context, Agni-5 stands out as a strategic deterrent, helping India strengthen its defenses and prevent a full-scale conflict. At the same time, it sends a clear message that New Delhi is a reliable security pillar in the Indo-Pacific, thereby enhancing its international strategic position.

The launch of Agni-5 also demonstrates the determination to be self-reliant in defence. Developed by DRDO, Bharat Dynamics Limited and private enterprises, it demonstrates India’s mature technical capabilities. Once inducted into the Strategic Forces Command, Agni-5 will become a long-range deterrent shield for national security.

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