Some truths about Indian missiles

New Delhi: India's showpiece nuclear capability, the Agni-III was successfully test fired on Thursday. But behind the glitter of this success lies a money-guzzling missile programme which has dragged on for 24 years and still counting.

After a national investment of Rs 1,700 crore over a period of 24 years, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has the Prithvi, the Agni and other missile celebrities to flaunt.

What the organisation set out to do and promised to develop by 1995 also included the Akash, the Nag and the Trishul.

Despite a time overrun of 12 years and a cost overrun of almost Rs 1,400 crore, completion of these projects is still nowhere in sight.

“We have to equip our armed forces for future conflicts. And if equipment programmes are impeded in this manner then it’s a cause for concern. We’d have to think seriously about this matter,” says Ex-Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash.

The Air Force has had to scramble for the Israeli Spyder air defence system on being repeatedly let down by the Akash.

"There are some design glitches. There are some other issues which are being sorted out," says Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FH Major.

The Army too is without a new generation anti-tank missile despite the Nag being test-fired 57 times.

The success of the nuclear-capable Prithvi and the Agni series has created a semblance of assurance in the face of technology denials. But there's a worry here as well: insufficient testing

Major powers have tested their strategic missile hundreds of times to demonstrate their reliability. But the Agni series of missiles - the mainstay of India's nuclear deterrence - have been declared operational on the basis of just three tests each.

So, should the world believe that India has a reliable delivery system for its nuclear weapons? Opinion is divided.

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