India developing 5,000 km-range Agni missile: Antony

[Nirvana]

@WHITESMOKE Missile will be test fired By Mid-end of this year.

 

[GORKHALI]

RV Comparison

India missile series

ANOTHER VIEW WITH ADDITION OF K 15

 

[SR 71 Blackbird]

Why would India develop such a long range missile. Does India plan to have a missile that can threaten the US?

Surya is meant for China.

 

[d14gtc]

The Surya-1 is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile under development. It is based upon a space launch vehicle being developed by India’s space program to improve the nation’s aerospace industry. This project would result in India’s first intercontinental-range ballistic missile.

The Surya-1 and -2 will be classified as a strategic weapon. It will likely be used to extend the Indian nuclear deterrent force to targets deeper within China. India can only hit a limited number of targets within China, even upon the completion of the Agni-3 missile. The development of a true ICBM would make almost any strategic target within China vulnerable and decrease India’s relative weakness. This would develop a credible deterrent for India against any Chinese aggression.

The Surya-1 will have an expected range of some 8,000 km (4971 miles). It reportedly has a length of 40 m and a launch weight of 80,000 kg. As the missile has yet to be developed, the payload and warhead are as yet unknown. It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellant and the third-stage using liquid.

The Surya-2 is a longer-ranged variant of the Surya-1. It has a reported range of 12,000 km (7456 miles). This is likely accomplished by decreasing the payload.