With the ascent of modern and highly precise weapons, overcoming the involvement of human minds and escalating the direct targeting, the weapon technology is changing its state with every passing day. ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) is a turning point in the modern warfare. These giants are capable of covering neighbouring continents and are eagerly wanted by the developing nations. All SSB aspirants must know some important things about it, which are as follows.
What is it?
It is a guided ballistic missile with a targeting range of 5000kms or more. It is normally nuclear in nature, but can carry other types of warheads too. They are called the strategic destruction weapons due to their deadly and massive destruction capabilities.
How long can they strike?
As the name itself signifies, these are intercontinental ballistic missiles, which means they can strike into the adjacent continent of the launching nation. Normally, it has range more than 5000 kms, but some extreme ICBMs have a range of about 10,000km (average). Due to their long range, their accuracy sometimes deviates. But, its striking area covers the target. It is generally targeted over a city, rather than any specific point of ground. It has longer range than other ballistic missiles.
Who have these missiles?
Currently U.S., Russia, China and some other superpower own these kind of long range missiles. While other nations like India, are working hard to induct similar missiles in their military. First ICBM was made by the Soviet Union in 1958. U.S. was the second nation to make these missile in 1959. After 2 decades, China came into the queue.
India’s ICBM Project
Agni V will be termed as the actual ICBM and is expected to have a range covering China and some parts of Europe on the two sides. It will have a range of more than 5,000 kms. With this, India will join the elite club of ICBM owners. The missile will have Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicles (MIRVs) in the future. Earlier Agni –IV missile trails were conducted, which has 4000 kms range.
ICBM chase between India and China
India is on the way to induct its first ICBM. While China already possesses it. Moreover, China has deployed it on the Tibet and south western borders, which takes major Indian cities into its range. But No First Use Policy is a checkpoint in between the usage of these kind of warheads by the two nations. The expansion of India’s missile project gave Pakistan an excuse to broaden its missile technology. This issue adds a point of discussion between both the nation apart for String of pearls, South China Sea disputes, border intrusions etc.
10 longest range ICBMs
- R-36M – Russia- 16,000km
- Dongfeng 5A – China – 13,000km
- R29 RMU Sineva – Russia – 11,500km (Approx.)
- UGM-133 Trident II – U.S. – 11,300km
- Dongfeng 31 A – China – 11,200 Km
- RT-2uttkh Topol-M – Russia – 11,000km
- Minuteman-III – U.S. – 10,000 Kms
- M51 ICBM, France – 10,000kms
- UR-100N – Russia – 10,000 Km
- RSM – 56 – Russia – 10,000 Km
Conclusion – ICBMs are the game changers in the warfare strategies of the future. On one hand, it expands the range of targeting the enemy, while on the other hand, it replicates the devastation rate. But it also provides a sense of security and power possession in case of India, which is surrounded by opposers like China and Pakistan, on both the sides having the nuclear missile technology. More such weapons will change the face weapon systems in future.
Read More
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