"India Successfully Launches ICBM with Over 5400km Range Amid 'Border Dispute' with China... Beijing Also Within Range"

Agni-5 Night Test Launch Success
Recent Border Dispute with China

[Image source=AP·Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] India announced that it has successfully conducted a nighttime test launch of the Agni-5 missile, an indigenously developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 5,000 km. This move is interpreted as a show of force in response to recent clashes between soldiers in border areas with China. The missile’s range covers not only Beijing, the capital of China, but the entire Chinese territory, which is expected to further escalate military tensions between the two countries.

According to local Indian media including PTI on the 16th (local time), the Indian military successfully completed the nighttime test launch of the Agni-5 missile on the previous day at Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha state, eastern India. Pralhad Joshi, the minister responsible for the Indian Parliament, emphasized on Twitter that "the missile’s range exceeds 5,400 km" and that it "will significantly strengthen national security."

The Agni-5, which succeeded in the nighttime test launch this time, is the latest version of the Agni series ballistic missile system that India developed independently in the 1980s. In addition to the Agni-5, the Indian military possesses missiles such as the Agni-1 with a range of 700 km and the Agni-4 with a range of approximately 3,500 to 4,000 km.

The Agni-5 was deployed in 2018 after seven test launches, with additional test launches conducted last October and this time. Indian media particularly noted that this test launch was part of a scheduled plan but also carried a strong warning message to China amid the recent intensification of border disputes.

The Agni-5 is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and has a range covering Beijing and the entire Chinese territory. China is also increasing tests of hypersonic missiles and significantly expanding its nuclear warhead stockpile, which is expected to further heighten military tensions between the two major powers.

Meanwhile, India and China fought a war in 1962 over border demarcation issues but have yet to finalize the border line. They face off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which was effectively established in the early 20th century, and continue to engage in border disputes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.