Beyond MIRV: India to Harness Multi-Kill Vehicles for Next-Generation Missile Defence

India's successful demonstration of MIRV (Multiple Independently Re-entry Vehicle) capabilities with the Agni-V missile test represents a major leap forward for the nation's strategic deterrent. This technology solidifies India's nuclear triad, granting the ability to strike multiple targets with a single missile launch.

Balancing Offense and Defence​

While enhancing its strike power, India continues to invest heavily in defensive technologies.

The ongoing development of a Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system underscores this commitment.

A significant element within this future BMD framework will be the integration of Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) technology.

Understanding MKVs​

• Decentralized Destruction: MKVs replace traditional single-warhead interceptors with a cluster of smaller, agile kill vehicles.
• Deployment: A carrier vehicle transports multiple KVs to the interception zone.
• Precision Targeting: Each KV possesses independent guidance systems, allowing them to autonomously engage and neutralize incoming ballistic missile threats.
• Optimized for Defence: The ground-based MKV system is envisioned as a defensive shield, capable of tackling multiple threats at once.

India's BMD Trajectory​

India's progress in BMD development is noteworthy. The AD-1 endo-atmospheric interceptor, successfully tested in 2022, forms part of Phase-II. Plans are underway for the AD-2 exo-atmospheric interceptor test by 2025.

The integration of MKV technology, while still under consideration, would introduce a formidable new layer into India's multi-tiered defence network.

Why MKVs Matter​

MKVs offer several advantages to enhance India's defensive posture:

• Swarm Defence: The potential to intercept multiple ballistic missiles simultaneously increases defensive effectiveness, especially against saturation attacks.
• Increased Success Rate: Launching multiple interceptors against a single target increases the probability of a successful interception.
• Cost-Effectiveness: MKVs' smaller size and simpler design could potentially provide a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional interceptors.

Looking Ahead​

India's focus on MIRV and MKV technology signals a comprehensive approach to enhancing its strategic position.

MIRVs bolster offensive capabilities, while MKVs aim to secure Indian airspace against the increasing sophistication of ballistic missile threats. This technological push reinforces India's status as a rising power with robust defence aspirations.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

This cat and mouse game will continue. Countries will go on developing stealth platforms, hypersonic missiles,MIRV with multiple HGVs , radars capable to detect stealth,Laser interceptors and advanced defences like MKVs . MAD is ultimate deterrence that will establish equilibrium in interstate relations.

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

Absolute necessity, must fast track these platforms.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

this is brilliant move. Intercepting ICMBs is notriously difficult and interceptors are poor accurcy at intercepting them. Usually you need 2-3 interceptors for a guaranteed kill. With this tech, just 1 missile with multiple interceptors would be enough to get a guaranteed kill on the incoming missile.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical necessity that we need to develop which will remove the enemy's MIRV missiles threat that we face from China and Pakistan. This is essential and we need to develop this as quickly as possible and it is a complicated technology to design and develop. It doesn't matter how much it costs but this is a critical capability that we need and to prevent a nuclear attack on us and give our military a significant advantage.

As for the BMD shield we need to make sure that it doesn't just cover the border areas. We need to make sure it covers major cities in the middle and further south because Chinese ships can launch a nuclear missile from their ships in the Indian Ocean which is why we need to make sure we have good coverage there and to our island bases.

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

Current MIRV though great achievement is only 3 MIRV's for each Agni-V should it be >5 ?
3 is far too less for MIRV.

 

[Venkatakrishnan H]

These were supposed to be integrated with Agni VI?