Latest news with #MIRV
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Science
- Times of Oman
India moves forward in developing K-6 missile
With a planned range of over 8,000 kilometres and the ability to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), the K-6 marks a bold leap in India's strategic weapons programme, firmly placing the country among the few global powers with ultra-long-range hypersonic strike capabilities. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and being readied for deployment on the future nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) of the Indian Navy, the K-6 represents not just technological advancement, but a powerful symbol of strategic maturity and self-reliance. A technological triumph The K-6 missile is being designed with cutting-edge propulsion and guidance systems that allow it to fly at hypersonic speeds — more than five times the speed of sound — and remain highly manoeuvrable through its flight path. This gives it not only speed and reach but also the ability to avoid interception from current-generation missile defence systems. The missile's MIRV capability — which allows it to carry and deploy multiple warheads to separate targets — represents a significant force multiplier. This technical complexity and precision underscore India's rising stature in the global missile development arena, positioning the country as a leader in high-end aerospace innovation. Strategic independence and Atmanirbhar Bharat The K-6 project is yet another shining example of India's resolve to develop indigenous defence capabilities. As part of the broader 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, the DRDO and associated institutions have been committed to ensuring that India's most critical defence assets are developed and produced domestically. From advanced composites for missile airframes to indigenous solid-fuel propulsion technologies, and from indigenous inertial navigation systems to cutting-edge MIRV tech, the K-6 showcases the best of Indian scientific and engineering talent. Moreover, the missile project has created a ripple effect across India's defence ecosystem, fostering innovation among startups, boosting local manufacturing, and contributing to the growth of a self-sustaining defence-industrial base. Indian scientists, engineers, and strategists are now working at the frontier of global military technology. Navy's new era The development of the K-6 goes hand in hand with India's naval expansion strategy. With plans underway for constructing the next generation of SSBNs, including those with greater endurance and improved stealth, the K-6 is expected to be the principal strategic weapon aboard these vessels. This alignment between platform and payload signifies a strategic integration that ensures not just the deployment of high-tech systems but their seamless incorporation into operational doctrine and mission planning. With the induction of the K-6, the synergy between conventional maritime power and strategic capability will be complete.
India.com
20-06-2025
- India.com
Does Iran have military technology like US, Russia? What is MIRV technology that has left Israel scared?
Does Iran have military technology like US, Russia? What is MIRV technology that has left Israel scared? The Israeli army has claimed that it has recovered several Iranian missiles that did not explode. One of these was loaded with a cluster bomb warhead and had been fired from central Iran. Thankfully, all the warheads were found intact, which means they didn't cause any damage. Now, Israel is trying to find out whether Iran has started using MIRV technology in its missiles. MIRV stands for Multiple Independently-Targetable Reentry Vehicle. It is a very advanced missile system that only a few countries in the world have—like the U.S., Russia, China, India, France, Israel, and the U.K. How MIRVs changed the rules of war MIRV technology (Multiple Independently-Targetable Reentry Vehicles) changed how missile warfare works. It first appeared in the early 1970s on the U.S. Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. Soon after, the Soviet Union also developed its own MIRV-equipped missiles. This technology brought a big shift in nuclear strategy. Why? Because it forced missile defense systems to do more work. If one missile carries five warheads, the enemy must launch five interceptors—one for each warhead—or take the risk of getting hit. That makes defending against such missiles very expensive and technically difficult. So instead of stopping just one missile, now you need to stop multiple warheads coming from that single missile—all heading to different targets. This made nuclear deterrence even stronger and missile defense less reliable. Which countries have MIRV technology? Only a few of the world's most advanced nuclear powers have confirmed MIRV systems: United States Russia China France United Kingdom These countries have deployed MIRVs on land-based missiles and submarine-launched missiles. India has also tested MIRV technology with its Agni-V missile, and is moving toward full deployment. Pakistan and North Korea have claimed MIRV testing, but experts say there's not enough proof yet that they actually have working systems with independently targeted warheads. As of now, no other country is known to have operational MIRVs. That's why MIRV capability is seen as a sign of a fully developed and powerful nuclear force.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
India maintains nuclear edge over Pakistan with more warheads, next-gen 'canisterised' MIRV-capable missiles: SIPRI report
India continues to maintain an edge over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noting that India has not only expanded its nuclear arsenal from 172 warheads in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, but also made significant progress in developing advanced nuclear delivery systems. According to the SIPRI report, India's new 'canisterised' missiles, which allow warheads to be pre-mounted and transported more safely, could potentially carry nuclear warheads even during 'peacetime'. These next-generation systems may also be able to deliver multiple warheads using a single missile in the near future. 'India is believed to have once again slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems. India's new 'canisterised' missiles, which can be transported with mated warheads, may be capable of carrying nuclear warheads during peacetime, and possibly even multiple warheads on each missile, once they become operational,' the SIPRI report said. Among the newest of India's next-generation delivery platforms are the Agni Prime (Agni-P) missile and the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)-capable Agni-5 system. According to India's Ministry of Defence, Agni-P is a new-generation, advanced variant of the Agni series of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with a range of between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres. The latest test of the Agni-P was conducted last year. India also successfully tested the MIRV-capable Agni-5 last year. This missile is capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometres. Following the test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded the efforts of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists involved in the mission. In a post on X, he wrote: 'Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.' Pakistan, meanwhile, also continued the development of new nuclear delivery platforms and accumulated more fissile material in 2024, suggesting an intent to further expand its nuclear arsenal in the coming decade, SIPRI observed. Referring to a brief India-Pakistan military clash in early 2025, SIPRI raised serious concerns about the risks of escalation during conventional conflicts between nuclear-armed neighbours. Associate Senior Researcher with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Associate Director for the Nuclear Information Project at FAS, Matt Korda, warned: 'The combination of strikes on nuclear-related military infrastructure and third-party disinformation risked turning a conventional conflict into a nuclear crisis.' He added, 'This should act as a stark warning for states seeking to increase their reliance on nuclear weapons.' SIPRI also noted that while India and Pakistan continue to modernise their arsenals, China's nuclear build-up is progressing at a much faster rate. The report estimated that since 2023, China has been adding around 100 new nuclear warheads annually. By January 2025, China had completed or was nearing completion of approximately 350 new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos spread across desert areas in the north and mountainous terrain in the east of the country. Depending on its force structure, China could potentially match the number of ICBMs possessed by Russia or the United States by the end of the decade. However, even if China reaches the projected 1,500 warheads by 2035, it would still possess only about one-third the number of warheads currently held by Russia or the U.S. SIPRI Director Dan Smith voiced concerns about the weakening of nuclear arms control and the prospects of a new nuclear arms race. 'China is increasing its nuclear force steadily,' Mr. Smith said, adding that the country could reach 1,000 warheads within the next seven to eight years. As of January 2025, SIPRI estimated the total global nuclear warhead inventory at 12,241, of which about 9,614 were in military stockpiles for potential use. Around 3,912 warheads were deployed with operational missiles and aircraft, and the rest remained in central storage. Approximately 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept on high operational alert on ballistic missiles, most of them belonging to Russia or the United States. However, SIPRI noted that China may now also be maintaining some warheads on missiles during peacetime. The report further noted that since the end of the Cold War, Russia and the U.S. had dismantled more warheads than they deployed each year, leading to a slow reduction in global nuclear stockpiles. But this trend may now be reversing, with dismantlement slowing down while deployment of new warheads increases. SIPRI said that all nine nuclear-armed states--the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel — continued to invest heavily in modernising their nuclear forces in 2024. This includes not only upgrading existing systems but also introducing newer technologies and weapons.
Economic Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
India maintains nuclear edge over Pakistan with more warheads, next-gen 'canisterised' MIRV-capable missiles: SIPRI
India continues to maintain an edge over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noting that New Delhi has not only expanded its nuclear arsenal from 172 warheads in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, but also made significant progress in developing advanced nuclear delivery systems. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India continues to maintain an edge over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noting that New Delhi has not only expanded its nuclear arsenal from 172 warheads in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, but also made significant progress in developing advanced nuclear delivery to the SIPRI report, India's new 'canisterised' missiles, which allow warheads to be pre-mounted and transported more safely, could potentially carry nuclear warheads even during "peacetime". These next-generation systems may also be able to deliver multiple warheads using a single missile in the near future."India is believed to have once again slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems. India's new 'canisterized' missiles, which can be transported with mated warheads, may be capable of carrying nuclear warheads during peacetime, and possibly even multiple warheads on each missile, once they become operational," the SIPRI report the newest of India's next-generation delivery platforms are the Agni Prime (Agni-P) missile and the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)-capable Agni-5 system. According to India's Ministry of Defence, Agni-P is a new-generation, advanced variant of the Agni series of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with a range of between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres. The latest test of the Agni-P was conducted last also successfully tested the MIRV-capable Agni-5 last year. This missile is capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometres. Following the test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded the efforts of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists involved in the mission. In a post on X, he wrote: "Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology."Pakistan, meanwhile, also continued the development of new nuclear delivery platforms and accumulated more fissile material in 2024, suggesting an intent to further expand its nuclear arsenal in the coming decade, SIPRI to a brief India-Pakistan military clash in early 2025, SIPRI raised serious concerns about the risks of escalation during conventional conflicts between nuclear-armed Senior Researcher with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Associate Director for the Nuclear Information Project at FAS, Matt Korda, warned: "The combination of strikes on nuclear-related military infrastructure and third-party disinformation risked turning a conventional conflict into a nuclear crisis."He added, "This should act as a stark warning for states seeking to increase their reliance on nuclear weapons."SIPRI also noted that while India and Pakistan continue to modernise their arsenals, China's nuclear build-up is progressing at a much faster rate. The report estimated that since 2023, China has been adding around 100 new nuclear warheads annually. By January 2025, China had completed or was nearing completion of approximately 350 new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos spread across desert areas in the north and mountainous terrain in the east of the on its force structure, China could potentially match the number of ICBMs possessed by Russia or the United States by the end of the decade. However, even if China reaches the projected 1,500 warheads by 2035, it would still possess only about one-third the number of warheads currently held by Russia or the Director Dan Smith voiced concerns about the weakening of nuclear arms control and the prospects of a new nuclear arms race. "China is increasing its nuclear force steadily," Smith said, adding that the country could reach 1,000 warheads within the next seven to eight of January 2025, SIPRI estimated the total global nuclear warhead inventory at 12,241, of which about 9,614 were in military stockpiles for potential use. Around 3,912 warheads were deployed with operational missiles and aircraft, and the rest remained in central 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept on high operational alert on ballistic missiles, most of them belonging to Russia or the United States. However, SIPRI noted that China may now also be maintaining some warheads on missiles during report further noted that since the end of the Cold War, Russia and the US had dismantled more warheads than they deployed each year, leading to a slow reduction in global nuclear stockpiles. But this trend may now be reversing, with dismantlement slowing down while deployment of new warheads said that all nine nuclear-armed states--the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel--continued to invest heavily in modernising their nuclear forces in 2024. This includes not only upgrading existing systems but also introducing newer technologies and weapons.
Mint
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
India's nuclear arsenal increased; next-gen 'canisterised' MIRV-capable missiles, says SIPRI
India continues to hold a strategic advantage over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report highlights that India has increased its nuclear arsenal from 172 warheads in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, alongside notable advancements in its nuclear delivery systems. According to the SIPRI report, India's new 'canisterised' missiles, which allow warheads to be pre-mounted and transported more safely, could potentially carry nuclear warheads even during "peacetime". These next-generation systems may also be able to deliver multiple warheads using a single missile in the near future. "India is believed to have once again slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems. India's new 'canisterized' missiles, which can be transported with mated warheads, may be capable of carrying nuclear warheads during peacetime, and possibly even multiple warheads on each missile, once they become operational," the SIPRI report said. Among the newest of India's next-generation delivery platforms are the Agni Prime (Agni-P) missile and the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)-capable Agni-5 system. According to India's Ministry of Defence, Agni-P is a new-generation, advanced variant of the Agni series of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with a range of between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres. The latest test of the Agni-P was conducted last year. India also successfully tested the MIRV-capable Agni-5 last year. This missile is capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometres. Following the test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded the efforts of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists involved in the mission. In a post on X, he wrote: "Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology." Pakistan, meanwhile, also continued the development of new nuclear delivery platforms and accumulated more fissile material in 2024, suggesting an intent to further expand its nuclear arsenal in the coming decade, SIPRI observed. Referring to a brief India-Pakistan military clash in early 2025, SIPRI raised serious concerns about the risks of escalation during conventional conflicts between nuclear-armed neighbours. Associate Senior Researcher with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Associate Director for the Nuclear Information Project at FAS, Matt Korda, warned: "The combination of strikes on nuclear-related military infrastructure and third-party disinformation risked turning a conventional conflict into a nuclear crisis. This should act as a stark warning for states seeking to increase their reliance on nuclear weapons." SIPRI said that all nine nuclear-armed states, namely the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel, continued to invest heavily in modernising their nuclear forces in 2024. This includes not only upgrading existing systems but also introducing newer technologies and weapons. As of January 2025, SIPRI estimated the total global nuclear warhead inventory at 12,241, of which about 9,614 were in military stockpiles for potential use. Around 3,912 warheads were deployed with operational missiles and aircraft, and the rest remained in central storage. Approximately 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept on high operational alert on ballistic missiles, most of them belonging to Russia or the United States. However, SIPRI noted that China may now also be maintaining some warheads on missiles during peacetime.
