FUTURE SUPERWEAPONS FOR A 'NEW INDIA'

With India facing serious geopolitical threats from Pakistan and China, the government must envision and implement a robust defence modernisation policy and a massive weaponisation programme for the long term

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic vision is to see India emerging as a $5 trillion economy and as a first rung global military power by the middle of this decade, defence modernisation still remains as a work in progress with all three branches of the Indian armed forces in dire need of new weapon systems and platforms. Many high value indigenous strategic projects ongoing since the turn of the millennium, still remain pending due the union government’s reluctance to boost capital expenditures for military modernisation in the annual budgets. Following are some areas where immediate action is required.

Agni-6 nuclear capable ICBM

While the Agni-5 nuclear capable intercontinental range ballistic missile has undergone six successful flight trials since 2012, there has been very little movement on the much-awaited Agni6 missile project. After Agni-5’s maiden test on April 19, 2012, former DRDO Chairman- Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat had stated that India had no intent to cap the Agni missile programme and that there will be more missiles in the Agni series as a follow up of Agni-5 in the coming years. While the Agni-5 has an effective range of more than 5000 kms and up to 8000 kms with a 1.5-ton nuclear payload, Agni-6 is expected to have a range between 10,000 kms and 12,000 kms with a 3-ton nuclear warhead. In 2011, IAF’s former Chief of Air Staff- Pradeep Vasant Naik, who was also the head of Chiefs of Staff Committee had vehemently argued in favour of broadening India’s nuclear striking capabilities beyond the immediate neighbourhood.