India could join the elite ICBM club of 5 countries next year with the launch of Agni – V  whose design work has been completed and is on track for its first launch next year. Note India has a highly developed space launch capability regularly launching satellites not only for its own but also for other countries.

India has already done 3 tests on indigenously developed Agni-III which has a range of 3500 kms .The ICBM Agni-V will be a modified form of Agni-III with an additional 3rd stage which will boost its range by 1500 kms. While true ICBM’s have a range of 5500 kms , Agni-V will fulfill its basic strategic deterrent against China bringing the whole of the Chinese territory under its range.

Agni-5 ICBM to be a reality by next year: DRDO chief – Business Standard

“Work is progressing satisfactorily in the development of Agni-5, which is expected to become a reality next year. With this, DRDO would have given India a comprehensive indigenous strategic capability, available with only a few nations of the world,” DRDO chief V K Saraswat said at the National Technology Day awards function here.

Agni-5 will be the first canistered ballistic missile with range of over 5,000 km into Indian inventory, bringing possible military targets in the whole of China and Pakistan within striking range. The missile is likely to be tested early next year.