Nuclear-capable Agni-V has been cleared for induction by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Trials he 5000 plus km range missile will be held before the monsoon

New Delhi: Nuclear-capable Agni-V has been cleared for induction by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Trials he 5000 plus km range missile will be held before the monsoon. A successful induction of Agni-V will bring the likes of China, North Korea in a striking distance from India. The process to induct the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into India's strategic forces command (SFC) was kicked off recently.

According to a report in Times of India, "several systems and subsystems" associated with the system are "being handed over" to the Agni-V unit within the SFC. "The second pre-induction trial of Agni-V is slated to take place soon (the first one was on January 18 this year, after four developmental trials since April 2012). If successful like the earlier tests, the Agni-V unit with its missiles can be shifted to a strategic base," a source was quoted as saying by Times of India. According to the report, "till SSBNs with nuclear missiles over 3,500-km range are inducted, the Agni missiles and nuclear glide bombs delivered by fighters will remain the mainstay of India's deterrence posture."

The induction process, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Pokhran test, will get China and Pakistan, India's prime adversaries within its reach. While India follows a No First Use (NFU) policy regarding nuclear weapons, the induction of Agni-V will boost India's capabilities strengthening its second-strike capabilities against adversaries and adding firepower to the nuclear triad- meaning the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air.