Empowering India’s Defense: Unveiling the Game-Changing Mission Divyastra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled “Mission Divyastra,” heralding a significant advancement in India’s defense capabilities and strategic influence in southeast Asia. The unveiling marks the debut flight of the Agni-5 MIRV missile, developed over a decade by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The innovative MIRV technology enables a single missile to deploy multiple warheads, striking targets simultaneously—an exclusive capability possessed by only a handful of nations including the US, UK, Russia, France, and China. With this successful test, India joins this prestigious club, affirming its prowess in defense technology.
Prime Minister Modi commended DRDO scientists for achieving this milestone, hailing the Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology as a testament to India’s self-reliance and technological prowess.
President Droupadi Murmu lauded the achievement as a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward greater strategic autonomy and applauded DRDO for its contribution to national defense.
Dr. V K Saraswat, a key figure in the Agni-5 project, emphasized its significance as a “huge force multiplier,” particularly in complementing India’s no-first-use policy. He underscored the importance of a robust second-strike capability, now attained through Mission Divyastra.
The Agni-5’s MIRV payload empowers India to target adversaries in multiple directions within a 5,000-plus km radius, enhancing national security. Equipped with indigenous avionics and high-precision sensor packages, the system ensures accurate targeting, reinforcing India’s defensive capabilities.
The project, spearheaded by a yet undisclosed woman leader, showcases India’s commitment to gender-inclusive excellence in defense technology.
Agni missiles have been integral to India’s defense arsenal since the 1990s, with Agni-5’s enhanced capabilities marking a significant leap in second-strike capability, capable of targeting moving objects such as ships with advanced seeker technology.
The successful test flight of Mission Divyastra underscores India’s commitment to technological advancement and self-reliance in defense, bolstering its position as a regional leader in defense innovation and strategy.
