Why in News?

India successfully test-fired Agni-5, a nuclear-capable Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) to validate operational and technical parameters and maintain credible minimum deterrence.

• About: Advanced Surface-to-Surface ballistic missile (SSBM) developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• Range: ~5,000 km.
• 5 Countries with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) Tech: USA, Russia, China, France, and India (enabled by Agni-5).
• Other 4 missiles developed under IGMDP: Prithvi, Trishul, Nag, and Akash.

Classification of SSBM

• Short-Range (SRM): <1000 km
• Medium-Range (MRBM): 1,000–3,000 km
• Intermediate-Range (IRBM): 3,000–5,500 km
• Intercontinental (ICBM): >5,500 km