The Hindu : National : Sagarika to be tested soon off Orissa

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Sagarika to be tested soon off Orissa

Sandeep Dikshit

The land-based Agni-III missile to be tested soon
A joint venture with Israel for producing long-range surface-to-air missile

NEW DELHI: India is all set to improve its capability to respond to a nuclear attack with the first-ever test of Sagarika, an under-sea missile and the second test of a 3,000-km variant of the surface-to-surface Agni missile, a senior defence scientist said here on Monday.

Sagarika would soon be test-fired from a submerged platform off the coast of Orissa. The second test of the land-based Agni-III missile would be conducted as soon as the weather clears up, said Chief Controller of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) S. Prahlada.

Sagarika, under development for at least 16 years and acknowledged by the government only for the last 10 years, would complete the triad — land, air and sea — of the country’s nuclear deterrence.

India’s nuclear doctrine eschews a first strike and assures that it will retaliate only after a nuclear attack. Therefore, it is necessary for India to have a strike platform such as a submarine which survives the attack and can effectively retaliate at a time of its choosing.

India, however, does not have a submarine which can accommodate the Sagarika. It cannot be fitted on Russian nuclear submarines expected to arrive by the end of the year. India is hoping to expedite work with foreign assistance on the advanced technology vessel (a nuclear-powered submarine being developed indigenously) and probably arm it with the Sagarika.

It’s range, too, is not confirmed with scientists at various times placing it between 300 and 1,500 km.

“We have completed all preparations for the first-ever test launch of the missile and are awaiting the government’s nod,” said Dr. Prahlada at the ongoing Defexpo here. The DRDO would need just one more test to ratify the missile systems and the parameters, he added.

The Agni-III missile would be an important component in the country’s second strike capability. Since its range is long, the missile can be kept away from the borders and out of reach of most bombers. It could be ready for induction in the strategic command forces (nuclear forces) after two more tests.

The DRDO official claimed that other countries were now making inquiries about some of the Indian missiles but international parameters such as the Missile Technology Control Regime which prohibits trade in missiles with a range of over 300 km would have to be kept in mind.

He said the government had cleared a joint venture proposal with Israel for producing long-range surface-to-air missile for the Navy. The government had allocated Rs. 2,500 crore for the project and the first missile could be inducted in three years.

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