Missile Competition Between India and Pakistan: Agni-V and Pakistan’s New Rocket Force

Islamabad, Pakistan – On August 20, India announced the successful test launch of its Agni-V missile. Launched from a testing site off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal, this missile is considered one of India’s most advanced ballistic weapons.

The Agni-V is approximately 17.5 meters long and weighs 50,000 kilograms. It can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead weighing over 1,000 kilograms. The missile can travel more than 5,000 kilometers at a speed of around 30,000 kilometers per hour, making it one of the fastest ballistic missiles in the world.

This launch comes shortly after Pakistan announced the formation of its new Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC) a week ago. Experts suggest that India’s test may be a strategic message aimed not at Pakistan, but at neighboring China.

The range of Agni-V covers most of Asia, including northern China and parts of Europe. Analysts note that this Indian move is particularly significant as it coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s preparations to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. While recent border tensions have slightly eased India-China relations, complications remain due to U.S. trade policies.

Although India has acknowledged losing aircraft in recent skirmishes with Pakistan, it has inflicted significant damage on Pakistani military installations using BrahMos supersonic missiles. BrahMos can strike targets up to 500 kilometers away and follows a low-altitude trajectory, making it difficult to intercept.

Defense analysts believe that the latest Agni-V test is not directly related to Pakistan’s new rocket force but is part of India’s broader demonstration of strength aimed at China.

Source: Al Jazeera