Air chief PV Naik in favour of ICBM Over 10,000 km Range

[Nirvana]

New Delhi
Air chief PV Naik in favour of flexing missile power

India must develop strategic missiles with intercontinental reach to deliver warheads more than 5,500 km away, the country's senior-most military commander has said, proposing a dramatic increase in the country's strike range. India plans to cap its strategic missile reach at 5,000 km, establishing a posture of deterrence against China and Pakistan.

India's rising global stature demands developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), air force chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik told HT in an exclusive interview.

This is the first time that a serving military chief has argued for broadening India's strike capabilities beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

Naik, who heads the chiefs of staff committee, said, "India should pursue an ICBM programme to acquire ranges of 10,000 km or even more. Breaking out of the regional context is important as the country's sphere of influence grows. We have no territorial designs on any country, but India needs the capability to match its sphere of influence."

The air chief believes that an ICBM is within India's grasp: "There's no point capping the missile programme at 5,000 km. If we have the technical capability, we should build on it."

ICBMs can hit targets up to 15,000 kilometre away.

Ballistic missiles exit earth's atmosphere and re-enter to hit their targets.

Currently, the 3,000-km range Agni-III is the only missile in the Indian arsenal that can strike targets inside China. The maiden test of the 5,000-km range Agni-V intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) is being planned by the end of this year.

Five countries have deployed operational ICBMs with nuclear warheads - the US, Russia, China, France and the UK.

China's 14,000-km range Dong Feng-31 ICBM can target virtually the entire world.

A top Defence Research and Development Organisation scientist said India had the building blocks to develop ICBMs, "but where the warhead should go or what the range should be will have to be a political call."

Development of an ICBM could cost India upwards of Rs 10,000 crore, about 6% of the country's defence budget.

Ashley J Tellis, senior associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, "As of now, New Delhi has no strategic need for deploying ICBMs. But there's no legal regime that stops India from acquiring intercontinental reach."

Apart from Agni-III, the 750-km short-range Agni-I and the 2,000-km medium-range Agni-II have been inducted into the armed forces.

Air chief PV Naik in favour of flexing missile power - Hindustan Times

 

[desioptimist]

Why do we need 10k range? Who is the enemy?

 

[Nirvana]

Why do we need 10k range? Who is the enemy?

Currently India's defence Concentrates On Pakistan and China ,
With Test of Agni V , China WIll be will withIn range.
But as India's Global Influence Grows , as Pointed Out by Air chief we should go for ICBM over 10000 km Range.

 

[Veeru]

Why do we need 10k range? Who is the enemy?

Presently china in future god knows.

We need 7000-8000 range, MIRV, SLBM so that we can retaliate far away from India to deep inside anywhere china without getting detected.

It will be the biggest deterrence and defense of India in case of war.

 

[Galaxy]

Agni V (ICBM) having range Range of 5,000-6,000 is more than enough for India. I don't think Agni 6 is required. India maximum threat is already covered. Whole Asia is almost Covered.

India has Good and long term relations with Europe, U.S., Australia. I Don't think 2.2 Billion $ should be utilized. May be we can buy Arrow-2/3 to Enhance our Defence Shield by 3 Layers which will be best in the world after U.S.

 

[Galaxy]

Presently china in future god knows.

We need 7000-8000 range, MIRV, SLBM so that we can retaliate far away from India to deep inside anywhere china without getting detected.

It will be the biggest deterrence and defense of India in case of war.

Agni V already has 6,000 Range. Even 6,000 is enough to cover all possible threat.

 

[Nirvana]

Arent we Already working On Agni 6 with Range Over 5500 km - Land version as well as SLBM !!

 

[desioptimist]

Currently India's defence Concentrates On Pakistan and China ,
With Test of Agni V , China WIll be will withIn range.
But as India's Global Influence Grows , as Pointed Out by Air chief we should go for ICBM over 10000 km Range.

What has global influence got to do with missile range. Do we have any adversary? Why waste money unnecessarily?
Also, it will threaten those who are our friends, we dont need that.

 

[Galaxy]

Arent we Already working On Agni 6 with Range Over 5500 km - Land version as well as SLBM !!

Agni-VI is an intercontinental ballistic missile in development by India. Capable of launched from submarines or from land, it can strike at a target of 6,000km with MIRVed warheads. The SLBM version of missile is meant for the Arihant class submarines of the Indian Navy.

So 10,000+ work is going on for Agni VI - to Launch from Sea. Not much info are out. May be after Agni V final test later this year.

 

[shaktiman2010]

What has global influence got to do with missile range. Do we have any adversary? Why waste money unnecessarily?
Also, it will threaten those who are our friends, we dont need that.

This kind of Nehru-vian thinking led to 1962 situation.

Lets build 50 to 100 of ICBM's and put them in cold storage. World peace.

 

[angeldemon_007]

I don' think there's anything wrong in having a ICBM of range 10000 or more but the program should be revealed by 2020 or it should be tested secretly....

 

[Chanakyaa]

The Missile is More Liike Power Projection.
Since Indican Scintists Can Do It, Why NOT Do It?

besides, the best detterece is given my sea based SLBMs,
I do agree Agni V is very Sufficient but IMO we do need an 8000KM Range Missile if NOT 10000+
This Puts us in an elite class that establishes the fact that Yes our Missile Tech is on par with Big 5.

This is also important for symbolizing India's Rising World Status.

 

[tvsram1992]

Increasing our missile capabilities. Like we can hit missiles on moon/space similarly as US did by combing best of rocket and Ballistic missile technology.

 

[rajusri]

Why do we need 10k range? Who is the enemy?

India's military is not enemy specific. The range will be incremented like Agni-1 , 2, 3 , 5 , 6. I guess agni-6 with lower payload reach 10000 km.

 

[koushik]

I think that with the recent order by Shri A.K Antony to quickly finish Agni-V ICBM and the support of the USA to gain membership to MTCR means something will happen in the near future.I think we might see the Surya class ICBMs although it is just a speculation by me.