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Detailed explanation-1: -Agni-V is a land based nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. The missile has a range of more than 7, 000 kilometers. Chinese researchers allege that the missile has the range of 8, 000 kilometers.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Defence Ministry successfully tested Agni-5 yesterday from Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. It can hit the target with accuracy beyond the range of 5, 000 km. India successfully test fired Agni-5, a nuclear-capable inter-continental ballistic missile on 15 December.

Detailed explanation-3: -Agni-5 is an ingeniously built advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). It is a fire-and-forget missile, which cannot be stopped without an interceptor missile.

Detailed explanation-4: -Agni-5 has been successfully tested multiple times since 2012. At the time of the last test in October 2021, the Ministry of Defence in its statement had highlighted the posture of ‘credible minimum deterrence’ and ‘No First Use’ which are pivotal points of India’s nuclear doctrine, first published in 2003.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Agni-V project is aimed at boosting India’s nuclear deterrence against China which is known to have missiles like Dongfeng-41 having ranges between 12, 000-15, 000 km. Agni-V can bring almost the entire Asia including the northernmost part of China as well as some regions in Europe under its striking range.