NEW DELHI: In a significant strategic shift, India has initiated the development of a conventional (non-nuclear) variant of its Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), designed to carry a massive 7.5-tonne warhead. This move by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) aims to provide the Indian armed forces with unprecedented tactical flexibility and high-impact precision strike capability without crossing the nuclear threshold.
Trading Range for Firepower
The new conventional variant will see its range deliberately reduced to prioritize destructive power. While the nuclear-capable Agni-V can strike targets beyond 5,000 km, the immense weight of the 7.5-tonne conventional payload will limit the new version’s range to between 2,000 and 2,500 km. This trade-off reflects a strategic decision to focus on delivering devastating blows to high-value targets within India’s immediate geopolitical sphere and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Despite the reduced range, the missile is expected to retain the advanced navigation systems and high accuracy that the Agni platform is known for, ensuring precision targeting even with the heavier warhead.
Dual-Role Warheads: Airburst and Bunker Buster
The conventional Agni-V is being developed with two specialized warhead configurations to tackle different mission profiles:
- Airburst Warhead: This variant is designed to detonate above a target, maximizing damage over a large surface area. It will be highly effective against dispersed targets such as airfields, military installations, command centers, and logistics hubs.
- Bunker Buster Warhead: This deep-penetration warhead is engineered to destroy heavily fortified and deeply buried structures. It will be capable of neutralizing enemy command-and-control facilities or strategic assets concealed in underground bunkers up to 80-100 meters deep.
The development of this conventionally armed ICBM provides India with a powerful deterrent, enabling rapid and decisive strikes against an adversary’s critical infrastructure in a conventional conflict scenario.
