Strategic experts have welcomed the launch of the Agni-l intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Friday, saying it was meant to send a warning signal to Pakistan at the right moment.
Defence analyst Bharat Karnad, who played a key role in framing the country’s nuclear doctrine, called the launch an “act of assertion” by India to prove that it was an independent strategic player. Speaking to this newspaper from Delhi, he said, “There was an impression that India was ceding ground to the U.S. The launch will set right this misconception. I think this mission was well planned since it took place on the eve of Republic Day. It has sent a signal to both domestic and foreign audiences.”
Former chief of Eastern Command K.S. Brar said, “The launch is a signal to Pakistan that India has the capability.” Describing the flight as a wonderful achievement, he said defence scientists should now concentrate on extending the range of the missile.
Welcoming the launch, former naval chief J.G. Nadkarni observed that it was meant to serve a message more to Pakistan than China. “It has been so timed to impress both these nations,” he opined. Opining that it was a politically appropriate moment to carry out the launch, he said it would send a strong signal to Pakistan on the eve of Republic Day.
Former chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) P.K. Iyengar said the launch was a move in the right direction. “It was planned in advance and preparations have been in progress for quite sometime,” he stated. Dismissing arguments about the timing of the launch, he said it would have no relevance since Prithvi missiles had already been deployed. “The range of Agni extends beyond Pakistan,” he added.
“Fantastic,” was the response of AEC chief Anil Kakodkar. Referring to the success of both INSAT-3C and Agni-1, he said, “They are good events on the eve of Republic Day.”
Dean of Research and Development (R&D) of Mumbai IIT S. Suryanarayana said India’s current technological standing was the result of five decades of research and development. “They have been mainly funded by the government. In the last two decades, the private sector has chipped in in a big way to realise technology from R&D. lie success of INSAT-3C and Agni-1 are the results of this,” he added.
Speaking to this newspaper, BARC scientists said the Agni missile was nuclear-capable. They added that unlike the Agni-1, Agni-1 could be launched in just 15 minutes as it had an accurate terminal navigation and guidance system which constantly updated information about the missile’s flight path, using ground-based beacons.
According to them, the deadly missile has the ability to hit targets nearly 2,500 km away with a 1,000 kg payload. There is speculation in the scientific circles that a 200-kiloton boosted-fission nuclear warhead has been designed to be fitted into these missiles. The missile has a single control system and over 600 communication channels have been eliminated to make it more efficient. The cost of each missile is about Rs 40 crores.
In this context, scientists quoted a remark made by defence minister George Fernandes after the May 1998 Pokhran tests Mr Fernandes had said, “Without weaponisation, the question of being a nuclear weapon state does not make any sense. Nuclear weaponisation is necessary and in the ultimate analysis it is inevitable.”
Soon after the first flight of Agni-1 on April 11, 1999, father of Indian nuclear programme A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had said the missile was nuclear-capable.
In April, 1999, the Centre said Pakistan’s threat was only a marginal factor in New Delhi’s security calculus. “Agni is at the heart of deterrence in the larger context of Sino- Indian equation,” it stated.
According to Weapons of Peace, a
book on India’s nuclear history, during the Kargil conflict in 1999, an
Agni missile capable of launching a nuclear warhead had been moved to a
Western state and kept in a state of readiness.