INDIA became the Seventh nation after the US, UK, France, Russia, Pakistan, and China launched MIRV-armed ballistic missiles when it announced the first flight of an Agni-5 Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on 11 March 2024. With the ability to carry a nuclear warhead on each independent re-entry, ballistic missiles with MIRVs have a substantially increased potential for destruction. The spread of MIRV capability is a worrying trend in global nuclear arsenals that is already indicating the beginning of a nuclear arms race with increasingly destabilizing MIRV missiles, even though the Indian government may be delighted with its technological accomplishment. The Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, a non-profit advocacy group located in Washington, states that Pakistan tested MIRV technology in 2017 and that the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia are among the nations that now use the MIRV missiles.

The range of the Agni-5 ballistic missile is estimated to reach more than 5,000 km, and possibly even 7,000 km. To strengthen its sea-based deterrence, India will probably use MIRV technology in its K-5 and K-6 SLBMs on board the Arihant-class and the upcoming S5-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) of the Indian Navy, according........

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