Agni-V MIRV test: China deploys research vessel to keep an eye on Indian missile

As India recently conducted its flight-test of the Agni-5 inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, it had some invasive visitors who were keenly watching the proceedings from afar. China had sent its second research vessel, 'Xiang Yang Hong 01', to the Indian shores to likely observe the test. The ship, currently less than 260 nautical miles off the coast of Visakhapatnam, is believed to be collecting data on the missile's range and capability.

According to maritime analytics provider Marine Traffic, Chinese ship ‘Xiang Yang Hong 01’ departed from the Chinese port of Qingdao on Feb 23. Open-source intelligence expert Damien Symon showed the 4,425-tonne ship's entry into the Bay of Bengal on Sunday on social media platform X. Xian Yang Hong 01 is now less than 260 nautical miles — about 480 km — off the coast of Visakhapatnam, which is believed to have the base of India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.



China's Monitoring of Missile Test
China, along with the US, Russia, France, and the UK, has the capability to launch missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. The presence of Chinese research vessels near the Indian coast raises concerns about the collection of sensitive data for military purposes. Despite China's claims of these vessels being for research purposes only, India and other countries view them with suspicion.

Previous Instances of Chinese Vessels in the Indian Ocean Region
This is not the first time a Chinese research vessel has been spotted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) ahead of an Indian missile test. In 2022, a similar incident occurred when a Chinese research vessel entered the IOR before a planned missile test, leading India to cancel the NOTAM. The presence of Chinese vessels in the region has raised concerns about their activities and intentions.

Concerns and Speculations
Some Chinese experts speculate that India's Agni-V missile has a range greater than the stated 5,000 km. This speculation adds to the tension in the region, as India's missile capabilities continue to evolve. Additionally, China's increasing presence in the IOR, especially with the permission to dock at Male in the Maldives, is seen as a strategic move that could impact regional security.

What is this new weapon system

Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new weapon system with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, joining a select group of nations possessing this capability. MIRVs allow a single missile to deploy multiple nuclear warheads, each targeting different locations simultaneously.

Significance of MIRV Technology
MIRV technology, possessed by countries like the US, UK, Russia, France, and China, enables a single missile to carry several nuclear warheads, enhancing the missile's effectiveness. India's new weapon system, named Divyastra, has a range of over 5,000 km, allowing it to target adversaries in both the east and west directions.

Features of Divyastra
The Divyastra system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, ensuring that the re-entry vehicles accurately reach their target points. The system uses a modified nose cone on a three-stage Agni-5 missile to accommodate multiple warheads, including micro-nukes, mini-nukes, and thermo-nuclear weapons.

Test of the New Weapon System
The new weapon system was reportedly tested within a range of 3,550 km, as indicated by the announcement of a no-fly Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in that range. While India has conducted multiple tests of the Agni-5 missile in recent years, the inclusion of MIRV technology significantly enhances the country's second-strike capability.

The recent test of India's Agni-5 missile and the presence of Chinese research vessels near the Indian coast highlight the ongoing strategic dynamics in the region. The monitoring of missile tests and the collection of sensitive data by Chinese vessels raise concerns about their activities and intentions. As tensions persist, both countries will need to carefully manage their actions to avoid escalating tensions further.