Repeated BMD tests, Validating Reliability

Repeated BMD tests, Validating Reliability

   DRDO all set to test fire the home grown advanced air defense missile also known as the Ashwin Ballistic missile interceptor. Under the two tier missile defense the AAD act as endo atmospheric interceptor the other PDV is exo atmosphere interceptor, AAD is the second layer of defense. Ashwin can intercept ballistic missile's once they enter the earth's atmosphere. The maximum interception altitude of AAD is upto some thirty kilometers.

    So far the Ashwin test fired nine times, which include live interception firings and missile validation tests, Only one test was went wrong, another time the team identified a small problem in the missile further cancelled the launch. The 90% of success rate shows the AAD is better in terms of reliability and over all performance.

     The live fire tests previously conducted against Pritvi ballistic missile mimicking as hostile missile, So far three live fire tests were conducted against Pritvi missile and one against electronic simulated targets. Other five tests were missile validation trails, which include validating the seeker, missile's agility and design improvements.

    This time also DRDO gearing up for a live missile interception against an Pritvi missile. Last time DRDO shows the Ashwin Missile as canister-ed variant, Similar like other BMD missiles like S 400 and PAC 3. Ashwin comes with three cell VLS mobile launching system. So this time it's believed DRDO will shows the complete operational version of  Ahswin missile configuration.

    Ashwin is designed with onboard active radar seeker and a hit to Kill vehicle, The HTK vehicle will hit the enemy missile by kinetically destroying it, The other mechanism used for interception is spraying the fragments into enemy missiles. However the Kinetic kill is more complex and assures hundred percentage destruction of enemy missile in the air.

     Ashwin is guided by the long range radar, The upgraded Israeli Swordfish radar can capable to track targets upto some 1500 kilometers. The LRTR can track the incoming ballistic missile as well as guide the Ashwin to intercept the enemy missile at pre-calculated altitude. Once the Ashwin comes close to the Enemy missile, the seeker in the Ashwin will activated then Ashwin itself work as autonomous search and track system and guide the HTK to the enemy missiles. By destroying the missile in Mid air.

     Under this Phase One series, Both the Endo Atmospheric Aswin AAD and Exo Atmospheric Prtivi Air defense PAD is already tested in various parameters. However the program almost delayed more than five years since the actual deployment schedule time is 2012. Due to the issues in seeker the Program is delayed till now.

    The Phase 2 ballistic missile Interception program is also taking shape. The Phase two system is long range missile interceptor similar to the SM 3 system for intercepting long range ballistic missiles or the IRBM's. India also have plans to deploy a similar system based on THAAD, which comprises missiles for intercepting enemy SRBM, and IRBM.

    India also planned for Long range surface to air missile based on the Ashwin variant whose engagement range upto some 120 kilometers. Investing the billions of dollars in the S 400 system, India may open more funds to DRDO to speed up and mature the home grown BMD program.

The Monster Agni 6

The Guardian Agni 6 

Artistic representation of Agni 6 with MIRV warheads

         An ambitious project of the DRDO is ready to take wings and with it the deterrence factor of India will reach new heights. With the country's sphere of influence growing the then Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik pitched for a delivery system that could break the ‘regional context’ and thus began DRDO’s conquest for the Agni 6 program.   

      A potent weapon system is about to be developed by the DRDO which will deliver a death blow to the enemies thousands of kilometres away. DRDO is heading full steam ahead with the Agni program and the reliable delivery system will this time be witnessing some breakthrough advancements which will result in Agni 6 with a speculated range of 10,000 kilometres. 

     The Agni 6 will feature MIRV warheads, which is a first for the Indian forces. At the press of a button the destruction of the enemy is guaranteed for the missile carries a 3 tonne nuclear warhead which if denoted will annihilate the enemy and drive them back to Stone Age. With the MIRV’s the warheads can easily out manoeuvre the enemy BMD systems and equipped with chaff systems and ECM systems the interception of the missile will be extremely unlikely.  

         The success of Agni 5 paved the way for Agni 6 and DRDO is believed to have constituted the program from late 2009, for a ICBM providing ranges of 10000+ km. Mounted with six MIRV warheads, each capable of acquiring different targets, the missile can deliver either a conventional warhead or biological or nuclear warheads with pin point accuracy to the designated target.

       The missile will have a range of more than 10,000 kilometres and with this most of North America will come under the missile strike range. The missile will be an exo-atmospheric system and will make most of its flight in the space helping it to attain the required long range strike.  

          Agni6 completes most its flight in sub orbital trajectory which will help achieve the missile speed up to 6 kilometres per second. The Agni 6 is a three staged ballistic missile and will most probably be a solid propellant powered system. The first and the second stage will contain only the propulsion motors, the final and last stage will launch up to 10 MIRV and also decoy warheads. Agni 6 can carry warheads up to 3 tonnes and with the MIRV’s the missile system is surely a nightmare to the enemy.   

       A single missile can deliver enough fire power to the enemy territory to annihilate the country for years. The ABM shields will be a hindrance to the delivery system, China armed with the most advanced Russian developed S400 systems can counter this threat but with ten MIRV and decoy warheads hurtling the success rate of the S400 will reduce to a great extent and with repeated strikes the purpose will be served.

       Initially the existence of the Agni 6 program was never confirmed by DRDO nor had they declined the repeated reports circulating in the Media. But an expected breakthrough announcement came in May 2011 with the promotion of Shri Avinash Chander. A DRDO newsletter released read.

Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems)

“ Shri Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist, Programme Director, SFD and Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory has been appointed as Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems) wef 3 May 2011. He is an eminent scientist in the field of Missiles and is the Chief Designer of Long-range missile system, with specific contribution in Agni programme management, mission design, guidance, navigation, simulation and terminal guidance. He has unique achievement of delivering and deploying three long-range Agni missile weapon systems viz, A1, A2 and A3.





Presently, he is leading three major system developments; A2p, a technologically challenging state-of-the-art system; a 5,000 km canister-launched A5 system; and a 6000 km A6 system with multiple warheads (MIRV) capable of launching both from the ground and underwater. “

       Thus the Agni 6 program was confirmed and the any strategic developments before materializing has to be put up before the government and only after the consent of the CCS will the project progress forward.

     But some recent reports mentioned that India already started the Agni 6 works and already completed the design works and waiting for Govt authorization to start the Project, since DRDO needs govt authorization to materialize any Strategic developments.

          India being a volunteer for no first strike policy any missiles homed in silos and mobile launchers are always vulnerable and an attack by the adversary may disable these missiles. But serving the real purpose of a second strike is the SLBM’s or simply the submarine launched ballistic missiles. Miniaturized missile systems will be fitted on the follow on Arihant SSBN’s and with these submarines submerged and floating silently thousands of kilometres away will surely work as the best platform for second strike scenario. The SLBM’s will also counter the submarine and aircraft carrier threats posed by the Chinese and can fire at the target with pin point accuracy.

          The Agni 6 may very well be developed into a ASAT missile, which is designed to neutralize enemy satellites which circle the orbits designated around a country and can hamper the operations of our forces. The use of any space oriented weapons has been banned by the International community. America, China, Russia and French are believed to posses ASAT missiles and America is the only country to have actually tested an ASAT.

          India strictly follows a “No first use policy” for nuclear weapons and will only retaliate if attacked and will annihilate the adversary”. The Agni 6 missiles are bound to take India to an exclusive club of nations which operate ICBM’s with 10000 kms. India will join America, Russia, France, UK and China.  

 Editor Karthik Kakoor

Infograph of Agni 6

MIRVed ICBM Launching method

A thermonuclear Warhead