Debalina Ghoshal

Operational readiness is one of the key requirements in strengthening nuclear deterrence. India’s posture ‘credible minimum deterrence’ is only strengthened when nuclear delivery systems can pose a credible threat to their adversaries.

Not only is it crucial to develop sophisticated delivery systems, but also crucial to ensure that these weapon systems are able to meet their expectations in times of crisis. Frequent trials ensure that the weapon system is ready to be inducted into the forces. They also help a country understand where the weapon system lacks technologically so that should there be a need for improvisation, it can be taken heed of. While indigenously developed weapon systems undergo improvisation, those that need to be procured from foreign countries could be reconsidered. The aim to conduct such tests is to ensure that the weapon system is credible enough to strengthen deterrence.

Within six months, the Agni-V underwent two tests - both successful. The Agni-V is a 5,000km intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) that can reach targets in China. However, the missile is reported to be traversing in depressed trajectory and it has been assumed that the real range of the missile is greater than 5,000km. The mi