AGNI-IV, the 4000 kms range Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile successfully launched; Indian Air Force expresses reservations about Indo-Russian project to co-develop a futuristic Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
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    • Reports noted that AGNI-IV, the 4000 kms range Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile was successfully launched on January 20 from the Wheeler island off the coast of Odisha. This was the third consecutive successful trial and the last one in the series of development launches. DG, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Avinash Chander said on the occasion, “The event is of greater significance since the system was tested in its deliverable configuration with the active participation of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) personnel. The missile is now ready for induction and its serial production will now begin.” Significantly, this launch takes India’s level of deterrence and its preparedness and effectiveness to newer heights. Agni-IV is equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th generation On Board Computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for inflight disturbances. 1

    In another development, according to reports, the Indian Air Force has expressed reservations about Indo-Russian project to co-develop a futuristic Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and Russia’s ability to meet her promises in this regard. IAF officials argue that the FGFA has shortfalls in terms of performance and other technical features. The IAF's three top objections to the FGFA are: (a) The Russians are reluctant to share critical design information with India; (b) The fighter's current AL-41F1 engines are inadequate, being mere upgrades of the Sukhoi-30MKI's AL-31 engines; and (c) It is too expensive. 2

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