This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here. Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1996
According to Indian news media sources, the Sagarika missile is in the final stages of scale model testing and its propulsion system is under development. The projected completion date of the Sagarika program is delayed from 2000 to 2005.
—M. Ahmed, Business Standard (New Delhi), 1 April 1996, p. 5; in "India: Report Details Navy's New Long-Range Missile Project," FBIS document FBIS-NES-96-065, 1 April 1996.
1996
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) introduces design modifications on the Prithvi to enable it to carry a nuclear warhead. Two tests are conducted to verify mounting of the nuclear warhead and unlocking of the safety and triggering systems during flight. [Note: The precise dates of these tests are not available in public literature.]
—Raj Chengappa, "The Eyes of Yama," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 418.
1996
Ved Prakash Sandlas is appointed Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) Chief Controller of Research & Development.
—Gopal Raj, "SLV-3: India's First Launch Vehicle," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme, (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 72.
14 January 1996
The Prithvi is included in a catalogue of defense items available for export. The defense ministry's Department of Defense Production & Supplies first published the catalogue in September 1994. According to the Minister of State for Defense, M. Malikarjun, the catalogue was published to show "Indian defense products available for export as a step towards projecting the defense export potential of our country."
—Dinesh Kumar, "Prithvi, Other Missiles 'Available For Export'," Times of India (New Delhi), 14 January 1996, p. 1; "India to export controversial missile: daily," AFP, 14 January 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 January 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
16 January 1996
A planned test of the Prithvi is cancelled for undisclosed reasons. A PTI report speculates that the test might have been postponed due to inclement weather. Defense officials in New Delhi say that India intends to deploy the Prithvi I and that serial production is already in progress at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). Reportedly, 18-20 Prithvi I ballistic missiles have been produced and are armed with five different types of conventional warheads.
—Raj Chengappa, "Boosting the Arsenal," India Today (New Delhi), 29 February 1996, pp. 98-99; "India postpones launch of surface-to-surface missile," DPA, 16 January 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 January 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 January 1996
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) tests an extended-range version of the Prithvi (250km-range) from Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur (Orissa) at 0852 GMT. The missile hits a target located approximately 250km from the launch site in the Bay of Bengal. The extended-range version of the Prithvi (Prithvi II) is being developed for the Air Force. This is the fifteenth test of the Prithvi ballistic missile system and an Indian defense ministry official says that all main objectives of the flight were met.
—"Extended Version of India's Prithvi 'Successfully' Test Fired," All India Radio (New Delhi), 27 January 1996; in FBIS Document FBIS-NES-96-019, 27 January 1996; Farhan Bokhari and Vivek Raghuvanshi, "Pakistan Vows Response to New India Missile Threat," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 5 February 1996, p. 18.
29 January 1996
US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns terms India's latest Prithvi test a "mistake" and adds that it "will not lead to what India and Pakistan want–which is stability in South Asia."
—"India to deploy controversial missile despite US opposition," AFP, 2 February 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 February 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
January 1996
V.K. Saraswat, senior scientist at the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and director of the Prithvi project states that; "Prithvi is now among the world's most accurate missiles of its class." The Indian Army, which had originally planned the purchase of 75 Prithvi I missiles, now reportedly plans to purchase only 30. Other reports state that the Indian Army has ordered 90 missiles and received 30 so far.
—"India Puts Agni IRBM Program in Ice," Jane's International Defense Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), 1 January 1996, p. 5; Raj Chengappa, "Boosting the Arsenal," India Today (New Delhi), 29 February 1996, pp. 98-99.
2 February 1996
The Times of India, quoting defense sources, reports that between 15-30 [Prithvi] missiles have already been prepared for induction into the Army; in addition, a program to test the longer-range Air Force variant of the Prithvi has been put into motion [Note: The longer-range variant was tested in late January 1996.]
—"India to deploy controversial missile despite US opposition," AFP, 2 February 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 February 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 February 1996
Foreign Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee rejects US calls to halt India's ballistic missile program. Mukherjee says, "there is no question of abandoning the Prithvi program." Responding to US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns's statement that the Prithvi threatened to destabilize South Asia, Mukherjee says, "we do not consider it a mistake. We have no intention of destabilizing in any way the situation already prevailing in the region."
—Scott Neuman, "India: no to US on missile tests," UPI (Washington, DC), 4 February 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 February 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
5 February 1996
A Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) official says that Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) is having difficulties with the Prithvi I's guidance system and the handling of the missile's fuel. According to the official, 15 Prithvi-I ballistic missiles are in the process of production, but will not be delivered for at least one year. Indian sources also say that the Army lacks trained personnel to handle the volatile 50:50 mix of xylidene and triethylamine liquid fuel used in the missiles.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India Delays Prithvi Deployment," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 12 February 1996, p. 32; Missile Systems of the World, AMI International (Bremerton, Washington), 1999, p. 494.
March 1996
Indian environmentalists demand the closure of the missile testing range on India's eastern seaboard in Orissa state. They claim that the test range is threatening the survival of the Olive Ridley turtles; approximately 400,000-500,000 turtles migrate to Wheeler's Islands between January and March annually. The environmentalists claim that exhaust fumes, oil and hydrocarbon, and noise pollution from boats plying in and out of the testing range and missile launches are threatening the survival of the world's largest rookery of the Olive Ridley turtles. The pollution thins the shells of the hatchlings leading to their death soon after birth. The World Wildlife Fund is also investigating reports that artificial lights adjoining the rookery upsets the turtles' nesting and hatching habits. Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials decline to comment on the issue. The Indian government says that it has no plans to shift the testing range.
—Rahul Bedi, "India hides in its shell over test range charge," Jane's Defence Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 27 March 1996, Vol. 25, No. 13, p. 5, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 March 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
21 March 1996
Third and final developmental launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at 0454 GMT from the Sriharikota High-Altitude Range (SHAR) in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). The 44-meter-high, 283-ton rocket successfully places a 930kg remote sensing satellite, the IRS-P3, into a sun-synchronous orbit 807/816km above the earth. Allaying apprehensions that India's satellite launch vehicles could be used for military applications, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman K. Kasturirangan says that "we need for defence a different type of configuration with quick burnout of fuel, which is not possible with the solid and liquid propellant-backed PSLV." Kasturirangan also denies that ISRO is planning to launch a defense surveillance satellite.
—"India set to enter global launch market," Xinhua News Agency, (Beijing), 21 March 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 March 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India launches satellite, denies PSLV has defence implications," DPA, 21 March 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 March 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Launched; voyage 'smooth'," All India Radio (New Delhi), 21 March 1996, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 March 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "News Breaks," Aviation Week & Space Technology (New York), Vol. 144, No. 13, 25 March 1996, p. 17, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 March 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 June 1996
An explosion injures 16 people at the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). A grass fire that spread apparently caused the explosion at the chemical gas-processing unit in the complex.
—"India missile plant shut by explosion: residents flee as 16 hurt in blast likened to quake," Toronto Star (Toronto), 1 June 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 June 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
June 1996
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) Director Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam makes a secret visit to Israel. During his visit, he expresses an interest in purchasing missile launchers for India's Prithvi and Agni surface-to-surface missile (SSM) programs. Kalam also studies Israel's Arrow antimissile program.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi and Steve Rodan, "India Begins Buying Spree in Israel," Defense News (Springfield, VA), Vol. 12 No. 7, 17-23 February 1997, p. 40.
15 July 1996
Minister of State for Defense N.V.N. Somu informs parliament that India's indigenous missile program has not been postponed. He explains that user trials of the Prithvi surface-to-surface (SSM) have been completed successfully and subsequent activities are in progress. Somu says, "the Agni project has also been successfully completed with three flight-tests of the re-entry technology demonstrators," and "there has been no change in the government's decisions on these programs."
—"Government informs lower house no postponement of missile programme," All India Radio (New Delhi), 15 July 1996, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 July 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
8 August 1996
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) sends a proposal to the Deve Gowda-led United Front government to resume testing of the Agni. According to the scientific advisor to the defense minister, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the objective is to test the missile's optimum 2,500km-range. During the third and last test on 19 February 1994, the Agni was tested to a range of 1,400km.
—Rahul Bedi, "Countdown starts for India's ballistic missile," Jane's Defence Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 11 September 1996, p. 21; "India may go ahead with trials flights of locally-made IRBMs," DPA, 8 August 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 August 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
20 August 1996
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says that the first phase of development testing for the Agni is finished. Operational testing can begin as soon as the government sanctions it.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India's DRDO Awaits Approval for Agni Flight Tests," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 26 August 1996, p. 14.
September 1996
The Hindustan Times reports that India has successfully completed the test-flight of the Nishant unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Nishant should be deployed operationally after a "couple of years."
—Cited "Success for Indian UAV," Jane's Defence Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 11 September 1996, p. 21.
12 September 1996
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam states that India will conduct one or two more tests of the 250km-range Prithvi-II ballistic missile before the end of 1996.
—Dinesh Kumar, Times of India (Bombay), 13 September 1996, p. 1, in "India: Two More Prithvi Missile Tests Planned in 1996," FBIS-NES-96-180, 13 September 1996.
17 November 1996
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav asserts that India's guided missile program will continue in view of the volatile security situation in South Asia. Yadav tells newsmen in Mumbai (Maharashtra) that there is no question of bowing to foreign pressure on the issue of defense preparedness and the trials of the Agni, Prithvi, and Nag missiles will continue.
—"Defence minister says indigenous missile programme will continue," All India Radio (New Delhi), 17 November 1996, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 November 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
December 1996
India decides not to produce the Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), unless its security is threatened. A defense ministry report states, "Agni is a re-entry technology demonstration project which has been successfully completed and all the objectives have been met...Agni project did not envisage development of a missile system...the decision to develop and produce a missile system based on Agni technology, however, can be taken at an appropriate time consistent with the prevailing threat perception and global or regional security environment."
—Cited in, "India Puts Agni Programme Back on Hold," Current Missile News, Center for Defence and International Security Studies (Lancaster University, United Kingdom), 5 December 1996, <http://www.cdiss.org>.
December 1996
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) says that it is planning to incorporate global positioning system (GPS) technology into the Prithvi missile to enhance its accuracy. Indian scientists claim that at present Prithvi has a circle of equal probability (CEP) of 0.1%; with the GPS, the CEP will be reduced to .05%.
—Dinesh Kumar, Times of India (Bombay), 25 December 1996, p. 6, in "India: DRDO Plans to Enhance Prithvi's Accuracy," FBIS-NES-96-249, 25 December 1996.
10 December 1996
Opposition members of parliament express concern over the government's decision to shelve the Agni missile program. The leader of the opposition, Sikandar Bakht, who belongs to the BJP, says that the government is playing with the country's security by not producing the Agni.
—"Deputies express concern over India's move to shelve Agni missile," DPA, 10 December 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 December 1996, <http://web.lexis.nexis.com>.
14 December 1996
Defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav denies reports that the Agni missile program has been suspended.
—"Defence minister on Agni missile, Russian weaponry, Army budget, militants," PTI (New Delhi), 14 December 1996, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 December 1996 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
22 December 1996
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials announce that India will test a test of the 250km-range Air Force version of the Prithvi within a fortnight. This will be the second test of the Prithvi II and the missile will carry a 450kg warhead.
—"Second test on Prithvi missile to be carried out "within a fortnight," Doordarshan (New Delhi), 22 December 1996, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 December 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
22 December 1996
The Pioneer reports that Indian scientists are working on cutting down the deployment time of the Prithvi's Army variant from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. At present, the total "command-to-command" operation of the Prithvi is about two hours.
—"India to test surface-to-surface missile in two weeks," AFP, 22 December 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 December 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
29 December 1996
An Indian defense official divulges that India is planning to resume tests of the Agni surface-to-surface missile (SSM) with "added attributes." He says, "Agni needs fine-tuning before we commence production...we are going in for an enhanced range from 800km to 1,400km...the date for test-firing has not been decided, but we are certain that Agni will be tested soon. We are monitoring the weather as things get into place at the test range."
—"India to test-launch ballistic missile: defence sources," AFP, 29 December 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 December 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1997
The Integrated Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala (Punjab) is tasked with fabricating modified rail coaches to house and transport the Agni. [Note: The timing of this decision is still unclear. Literature available in the public domain suggests that the decision was made sometime in 1997.]
—Raj Chengappa, "Boom for Boom," India Today (New Delhi), 26 April 1999, <http://www.india-today.com>.
January 1997
India is a reportedly developing a missile named Koral; Koral is allegedly the Indian version of the Russian SS-N-22 Sunburn missile.
—Strategic Comments, Vol. 3. No. 1, International Institute of Strategic Studies (London), January 1997, p. 2.
26 January 1997
Scientific advisor to the defense minister Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam announces that the "final phase of flight trials" of the 250km-range Air Force version of the Prithvi—Prithvi II—will be "scheduled shortly." Kalam says, "this is the testing season and there will be no delay in the schedules."
—"Missile programme developments updated," PTI (New Delhi), 26 January 1997; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 January 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India on final stages of missile development: official," AFP, 26 January 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 January 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
9-14 February 1997
An high-level Indian defense team led by Defense Secretary Taposh Banerji visits Israel to explore the prospects of defense cooperation. Banerji initials an agreement for the purchase of 12 Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Indian Army. The Searcher is manufactured by the Israel Aircraft Industries. Each aircraft costs $1.5 million and the entire deal is estimated at $18 million. Banerji is accompanied by senior Air Force and other defense officials. During his meeting with Israeli officials and industrialists, Banerji explores the possibility of purchasing missiles and missile-related technologies from Israel. In the past, India has expressed interest in purchasing the Arrow anti-missile system and related-technologies from Israel. Several Israeli firms offer to sell India command, control, and communication systems, and global positioning system (GPS) satellite navigation equipment. India signs an agreement to purchase the Barak point air defense system designed to defeat anti-ship missiles from Israel.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi and Steve Rodan, "India Begins Buying Spree in Israel," Defense News (Springfield, Virginia), Vol. 12 No. 7, 17-23 February 1997, pp. 1, 40; Atul Aneja, "Fernandes had no role in Barak deal: Navy chief," Hindu (Chennai), 22 March 2001, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
23 February 1997
India conducts the third user-trial of the Prithvi-II, marking the sixteenth test of the system. The ballistic missile is launched from Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur (Orissa) at 11:52 a.m. Mission Director S.C. Narak states that all test objectives have been met. This includes a test of the performance of advanced real-time software for trajectory maneuvers. The test also validates the modifications introduced in the ground support system at the suggestion of the Air Force. Narak says that the development phase of the Prithvi-II is complete.
—"Report Details 'Successful' Test of Prithvi-250 Missile," Deccan Herald (Bangalore), 25 February 1997; in FBIS-NES-97-037, 25 February 1997; "TV Details Launching of Prithvi Missile," Doordarshan Television Network (New Delhi), 23 February 1997, in FBIS-NES-97-037, 25 February 1997; Dinesh Kumar, "Naval version of the Prithvi will be tested shortly," Times of India (New Delhi), 24 April 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>; "Prithvi Test," Flight International (Sutton, Surrey), 8-14 January 1997, p. 6.
24 February 1997
Prime Minister Deve Gowda hails the Prithvi launch as a "milestone." In a statement before parliament he says, "we have placed special emphasis on self-reliance in this field and the success of yesterday's [23 February 1997] launch is one more milestone in our program...it will significantly add to our defensive capability."
—"Indian PM hails missile launch as a milestone," AFP, 24 February 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 February 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 March 1997
The scientific advisor to the defense minister Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says that the 23 February 1997 test of the Prithvi missile proved that India now had the technology to "divert a missile's path after launch to pinpoint a desired target." He further adds that "software for Prithvi has boosted India's capabilities to be on top of this range of missiles."
—"India has world-class missile technology: project chief," AFP, 1 March 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 March 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 March 1997
Prime Minister Deve Gowda promises "technical support" for the Agni program. According to Indian defense sources, the government has approved a 595.4 million rupees Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) proposal for an additional five Agni test-flights.
—"India's PM Backs Troubled Agni Missile Project," Executive News Service (Jacksonville, Florida) 4 March 1997; Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India Foresees Gap in Defense Funding," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 10-16 March 1997, p. 24.
March 1997
According to V.K. Saraswat, project director of Prithvi, the development program of the Prithvi (SSM-150 & SSM-250) has been successful and the Army and Air Force are satisfied with it. Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials say that serial-production of the missile has begun. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), which started assembling the missile in 1996, has produced 60 missiles so far. However, Colonel Bhat, an Army spokesman said on 27 February 1997, that the Prithvi has not yet entered service.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India to Deploy Prithvi Despite Pakistani Concerns," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 10-16 March 1997, p. 34.
19 March 1997
India's Minister of State for Defense, N.V.N. Somu informs parliament that the government has spent 2.27 billion rupees on the IGMDP between 1992-1997. He says that the government proposes to spend 5.04 billion rupees on the missile program during the Ninth Five Year Plan (1998-2002).
—Bhashyam Kastur, "State Minister Says 504 Crore Earmarked for Missile Program," Deccan Herald (Bangalore), 22 March 1997, in FBIS Document FBIS-TAC-97-081, 22 March 1997.
March 1997
Prime Minister Deve Gowda orders deployment of Prithvi surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) close to the Indo-Pakistan border in Jalandhar. [Note: The Army chooses Jalandhar for deployment because of the presence of an ordnance factory where the missiles can be stored and maintained. After spending several million dollars to build a storage facility, the Army later realized the folly of deploying missiles close to the Indo-Pakistani border.]
—Raj Chengappa, "Why Play Pahalwan?," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 402.
4 March 1997
Prime Minister Deve Gowda declares in parliament that his government will give "full support" to the Agni missile program.
—"Premier says government to give 'full support' to Agni missile programme," PTI (New Delhi), 4 March 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 March 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
17 March 1997
In a reference to India's Agni missile program, Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav tells reporters, "financial constraints have slowed down the progress of the Agni project but there is absolutely no question of capping it...pressure tactics by some countries on the capping of the project will not yield any result as the security of the country is not going to be compromised, come what come may."
—"Defence minister rules out capping of Agni missile project," PTI, 17 March 1997, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 March 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 April 1997
The Indian parliament's 42-member consultative committee on defense urges the government to "review the Agni missile" project and "take it to its logical conclusion." In a report submitted to parliament, the committee says, "India has no option but to continue to upgrade its missile capabilities against any adventurist intentions of a hostile country. Referring to Pakistan and China, the committee report points out, "with both these countries we have unsettled boundary disputes and the need for greater attention to this aspect of our defence preparedness."
—"India urged to deploy controversial missile," AFP, 30 April 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 April 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
May 1997
A senior government reveals that the government plans to double expenditures on the missile program from $64 million in the 1992-1997 period to $144 million between 1997-2002.
—"India to more than double missile budget despite US opposition," AFP, 18 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 May 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 May 1997
Minister of State for Defense N.V.N. Somu states in parliament that, "development of the 150km-version of the Prithvi has been completed successfully and subsequent activities are in progress...no further tests will be required before its induction in the Army."
—"India's most controversial missile ready for use," AFP, 9 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 May 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Prithvi missiles to be introduced into Army following successful tests," All India Radio (New Delhi), 7 May 1997, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 May 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
May 1997
The Jane's Defence Weekly says that according to Indian naval sources, the "Sagarika will be a hull-mounted, low-flying, air- breathing missile with a low trajectory, capable of achieving high-subsonic speeds and cruising at an altitude of 15,000m."
—Rahul Bedi, "India bolsters links with Israel in attack craft buy," Jane's Defence Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), Vol. 27, No. 19, 14 May 1997, p. 16, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 May 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
3 June 1997
US intelligence sources tell Washington Post that India has moved fewer than 12 Prithvi I missiles from their production plant in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) to a military facility outside the city of Jalandhar (Punjab), close to the border with Pakistan. But other US officials caution that the "best judgment" is that India has not deployed the requisite gear and personnel to make the missiles operational. US intelligence agencies also believe that although India does not now have the capability to arm the Prithvi with a nuclear warhead, Indian scientists are working on acquiring such a capability. However, Indian officials claim that the "missiles were moved to Jalandhar more than three months ago...the United States was notified that they were in storage."
—R. Jeffrey Smith, "India Moves Missiles Near Pakistani Border," Washington Post, 3 June 1997, p. A15; Nelson Graves, "Missile reports strike at Indo-US ties," Reuters, 17 June 1997.
4 June 1997
India's defense ministry spokesperson denies the Washington Post story and says, "I have no knowledge of deployment of Prithvi missiles along the Indo-Pak border."
—"Defence Ministry denies knowledge of missile deployment," Press Trust of India (New Delhi), 4 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 June 1997, <http://web.%20lexis-nexis.com>.
4 June 1997
India's defense ministry officials say that the development of the Prithvi is no secret; at least 30 missiles have been produced and stored in ordnance depots.
—Dinesh Kumar, "Officials Question Timing of Post Prithvi Report," Times of India (Mumbai), 4 June 1997, p. 1.
9 June 1997
Highly placed Indian officials tell Hindu that Prithvi missiles have been stored and not deployed at Jalandhar (Punjab).
—"Prithvi missile merely stored at Jalandhar," Hindu (Chennai), 9 June 1997, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
10 June 1997
India informs US diplomats that it has moved a few Prithvi missiles to Jalandhar because of "insufficient storage space back at the production site [Hyderabad] and the missiles carried neither a warhead nor fuel." US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robin Raphael acknowledges that India has not "openly" deployed its missiles.
—"India has not openly deployed missiles: Raphael," Hindu (Chennai), 21 June 1997, p. 4.
11 June 1997
US officials give a more detailed account of the alleged Prithvi transfer to Jalandhar (Punjab). They claim that when US intelligence detected the transfer, Clinton administration officials protested the decision to Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral. However, Gujral responded by saying that the missiles had been moved by the Army without his explicit knowledge or approval. He also promised US officials that his government would keep the missiles from being deployed.
—Kenneth J. Cooper, "India Denies It has Deployed Missiles; Gujral Condemns US Report of Arms Shift to Pakistani Border," Washington Post, 11 June 1997, p. A26.
12 June 1997
Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral tells reporters in Pune (Maharashtra) that India has not deployed Prithvi missiles anywhere in the country. Gujral emphasizes, "it is no secret...that we have acquired missile technology, but it is wrong to say–and a deliberate misrepresentation–that we have deployed them." However, Gujral does not specifically address the issue whether the Prithvi missiles have been moved.
—Kenneth J. Cooper, "India Denies It has Deployed Missiles; Gujral Condemns US Report of Arms Shift to Pakistani Border," Washington Post, 11 June 1997, p. A26.
13 June 1997
Former prime minister and BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee urges the United Front government to deploy the Prithvi surface-to-surface missile (SSM). He describes Prime Minister Gujral's statement that India has not deployed the missiles as "unfortunate." Vajpayee says, "the people of this country would like to know why it [Prithvi] has not been deployed....[India has not built the missiles] to keep them in warehouses...there is no need for us to give clarification [to other countries regarding their deployment].
—"Hindu leader wants India to deploy surface missiles," AFP, 13 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 June 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
14 June 1997
India's foreign ministry denies Washington Post reports and in a written statement says, "we...categorically reject...aspects of the Washington Post reports regarding details of diplomatic exchanges with the United States as false, mischievous, and motivated...it is the government's policy that decisions regarding the Prithvi or such matters will be taken in the light of our independent foreign policy and on the basis of our security perception...it has been pointed out that there is no imminent threat and thus no reason for deployment."
—Nelson Graves, "India Hotly Denies US Daily's Missile Reports," Reuters, 14 June 1997.
17 June 1997
Addressing a news conference in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral says that the Prithvi will be deployed as and when an emergency arises.
—Premier says Prithvi missile to be deployed "when emergency arises," All India Radio (New Delhi), 17 June 1997, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 June 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
24 June 1997
An earthquake strikes central India and damages facilities in several ordnance factories including those engaged in the Prithvi program.
—"Indian quake damaged seven munitions factories; daily," AFP, 24 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 June 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 June 1997
Commenting on the Prithvi deployment controversy, India's former Chief of Army Staff, General K. Sundarji says, "the Prithvi is primarily designed for delivering sophisticated conventional munitions. Yet, if necessary, it can be modified to carry a nuclear warhead...the nuclear 'pits' that are to go into...the missile-warhead compartment have to be successfully miniaturized and kept ready... I expect India is in that state now."
—K. Sundarji, "Prithvi in the Haystack," India Today (New Delhi), 30 June 1997, p. 73.
12 July 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav says that the United Front government has not abandoned the Agni program. He adds, "further development or flight trial program will be decided by the government based on the threat perception and at an appropriate time."
—"India has not abandoned long-range missile programme: defence minister," AFP, 12 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 July 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
July 1997
Jane's International Defense Review reports that the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is developing a third-variant of the Prithvi, which will be capable of delivering a 750-1,000kg payload over a range of 350km. The increased range and payload capacity will be achieved by using a "boosted liquid propellant to generate more thrust-to-weight ratio." Revealing more technical details about the Army and Air Force versions of the Prithvi, the report claims that the Prithvi follows a "tailored trajectory" rather than a ballistic one. Prithvi's semi-ballistic trajectory rises 30km during the initial powered phased, followed by a non-boosted cruise phase, and ends in a steep descent at nearly 80°. Missile operators can choose from six different path variations, which can be pre-selected. According to DRDO sources, this feature has been designed to prevent the Prithvi from being tracked by theater anti-ballistic missile systems. The report claims that there is controversy among Indian Army artillery officers over the accuracy of the missile. So far the Prithvi has never been fired to its "mean fighting range" on a land target. The accuracy of the missile has only been assessed from "prepared" and "pre-surveyed" sites. As a result, despite DRDO's claims that the Prithvi has a circle of equal probability (CEP) of 0.01 percent, some Army officers believe that under actual "field conditions," the CEP is likely to be 0.02 percent, which will make the Prithvi inaccurate in a conventional role.
—Pravin Sawhney, "Prithvi's position: India defends its missile: The debate surrounding India's indigenous TBM," Jane's International Defense Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), 1 July 1997, pp. 43-44.
July 1997
Indian Army reportedly plans to raise four Prithvi missile groups by the end of the year 2000. Each group will have eight missiles plus an unspecified number of reserve holdings. The first 333rd Missile Group is being raised, and a second 444th Missile Group is expected to follow. The 333rd Missile Group will be integrated into the new 30th Artillery Division, which after being raised, will be tasked to the 2nd Corps under HQ Western Command; initially however, the 30th Artillery Division will be raised as an Army HQ reserve with the 11th Corps, Jalandhar (Punjab). The overall command of the Prithvi missile batteries will rest with the commander of India's Western Command; control will rest with the commander of the 30th Artillery Division, who in turn will serve as the top advisor to the 2nd Corps commander. Command and control of the missiles will be decentralized when additional missile units are raised after the year 2000.
—Pravin Sawhney, "Prithvi's position: India defends its missile: The debate surrounding India's indigenous TBM," Jane's International Defense Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), 1 July 1997, pp. 43-44.
30 July 1997
Minister of State for Defence N.V.N. Somu declares in parliament that the government is examining a proposal for an integrated anti-missile defense program. He says, "the government has received a proposal for development of this system. It is not in national security interest to give further details at this juncture."
—"India to revive 'Agni' project," Hindu (Chennai), 30 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 July 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 July 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav makes a statement in parliament on the Agni program and declares that "with the three flight-tests, the re-entry technology demonstration under the project Agni has been successfully completed. It has been decided to accord high priority to the next phase of the Agni program."
—"India to revive 'Agni' project," Hindu (Chennai), 30 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 July 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 August 1997
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) suspends production of engines for the Prithvi surface-to-surface missile (SSM) as one its key suppliers, Ascent Technologies Pvt. Ltd., halts the supply of "cooling rings" used in the engines. HAL officials say that they have not received cooling rings for almost one year. Ascent Technologies proprietor M. M. Sampath Kumar Iyengar declares that he will not do business with government companies including HAL, pending settlements of previous bills. HAL officials say that they are trying to persuade Iyengar to resume supplies.
—"Indian missile production stops over money row: daily," AFP, 7 August 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 August 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
August 1997
India's nuclear bomb team led by the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) completes modifications and conducts two tests to check the functioning of the safety lock and mounting and triggering mechanisms on nuclear warheads designed for the Prithvi ballistic missile.
—Raj Chengappa, "Why Play Pahalwan?" Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 406-418.
August 1997
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) completes the assembly of 40 Prithvi ballistic missiles. The Army is forced to take delivery of the missiles due to lack of storage space at BDL. All 75 missiles are expected to be delivered by the end of 1998.
—Raj Chengappa, "Why Play Pahalwan?" Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 406.
August 1997
Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral's cabinet approves a new five-year military procurement program and allocates 1.5 billion rupees for the acquisition of 30 Prithvi missiles.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "Indian 5-Year Defense Procurement Plan Gains Support," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 13-19 October 1997, p. 72.
21 August 1997
The MDN imports a 1,000kg consignment of "aluminum vanadium master alloy" from the German firm Esselsehaft for use in building rockets and missiles. The consignment, which was originally ordered in 1994, is stolen from a storage site in Mumbai (Maharashtra).
—"1,000 kgs of special alloy imported from Germany stolen in India," DPA, 21 August 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 August 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 August 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav tells reporters that the Agni program is on track and will receive "top most priority." However, Yadav denies that Agni will enter into production soon. He clarifies, "I have never said that production of Agni would start soon. All I have said is that the program will be given top most priority."
—Atul Aneja, "Mulayam parries query on non-use of hotline," Hindu (Chennai), 27 August 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 August 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 September 1997
Indian Army transports six Prithvi surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) from Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) to Jalandhar (Punjab) on board two IL76 transport aircraft. Soon thereafter, the missiles are moved to their forward bases.
—Raj Chengappa, "Why Play Pahalwan?" Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 407.
28 September 1997
In an address to the directors of the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories during a two-day biennial conference, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says that serial production of the Prithvi has begun.
—"Further on Official's Remarks on Missile Development," Economic Times, (New Delhi), 29 September 1997, in FBIS Document FBIS-TAC-97-272, 29 September 1997.
29 September 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav urges Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral to make more funds available for continuing the Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) program. In an address to the directors of Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories, Yadav says that lack of funds cannot be an excuse for putting important projects like the Agni on a backburner.
—"Defence Minister Seeks More Funds For Agni Missile," Deccan Herald (Bangalore), 29 September 1997, in FBIS Document FBIS-TAC-97-272, 13 October 1997.
29 September 1997
First operational launch of the polar satellite launch vehicle–PSLV-C1 at 10:17 a.m. IST from The Sriharikota High-Altitude Range (SHAR) in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). The 44.4m-high, 294-ton rocket successfully places a 1,200kg remote sensing satellite– IRS-1D–in a sun-synchronous orbit 817km above the earth. The satellite has an apogee of 817km and perigee of 300km. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman K. Kasturirangan explains that the weight of the rocket was reduced to enable it to carry a larger satellite weighing about 1,200kg unlike the earlier D3 version, which could only a carry a 950kg satellite. The weight reduction became possible through the use of carbon-fiber technology for satellite mating and realignment of the equipment bay. He also divulges that the entire project has cost 1.3 billion rupees, of which the satellite component is estimated at 600 million rupees. Following the launch, Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral claims that no one can stop India from developing it's missile program, including the Agni missile.
—"PSLV-C1 lifts off successfully," Statesman (Calcutta), 29 September 1997, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 September 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India: Plan to launch astronomical satellite," Hindu (Chennai), 19 September 1997, p. 15, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 September 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "No One Could Stop India From Developing Missile Programme: Gujral," Indian Express (Mumbai), 30 September 1997, <http://www.expressindia.com>.
October 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav pledges to defend the government's ninth defense plan (1998-2002), which was approved in August 1997. The 1.5 trillion rupees defense-spending plan will be debated by parliament in November. The plan allocates 254.13 billion rupees for new equipment and upgrades including 40.85 billion rupees for indigenously produced missiles. Under the plan, the 30 Prithvi surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) will be procured for 1.5 billion rupees; a similar sum will be spent on upgrading and developing the Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). In addition, 700 million rupees have been earmarked for the purchase of the Lakshya and Nishant remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs).
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "Indian 5-Year Defense Procurement Plan Gains Support," Defense News (Springfield, Virginia), 13-19 October 1997, p. 72.
7 November 1997
Defense Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav assures the parliament's consultative committee on defense that the Agni missile program will not be halted and fund constraints will not be allowed to come in the way of defense preparedness.
—"Agni programme will go on, says Mulayam," Hindu (Chennai), 7 November 1997, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
November 1997
Indian defense scientists say that the Agni missile's range can be extended by boosting the propellant in the second stage. They also propose building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by using a "high-energy storable liquid propellant." Another plan under consideration is to dispense with the two-stage propulsion system in the Agni and replace it with an all solid-propulsion system. Under this plan, the first variant of the all solid-propellant missile would have a range of 2,000km; subsequent improved versions would be able to strike targets 3,000km away. Indian scientists believe that additional tests of the Agni will have to be conducted to attain a 95% assurance level, verify its performance parameters at the full-range of 2,500km, and validate a more advanced stage separation process.
—"India eager for further development of Agni missile program," Jane's International Defense Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), November 1997, Vol. 30, No. 11, p. 5.
1998
Reports suggest that the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is developing a 150-350km-range naval-variant of the Prithvi short-range ballistic missile. Initial trials are planned for 1999 and a target date of 2005 is set for deployment.
—Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 32, (Coulsdon, Surrey), 2000, p. 6.
1998
According to the principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the vision for "DRDO [Defense Research & Development Organization] is to promote the corporate strength of the organization , and to make the nation independent of foreign technology in critical spheres. Technology innovation is expected to lead the DRDO and its industrial partners to global competitiveness in systems design and realization." Commenting on the goals of the Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP), Kalam says, "the technological goal of the program is to ensure that the systems will be contemporary at the time of their induction into the armed forces." The systems have been designed to be multi-purpose, multi-user, and multi-role in nature. The program has adopted the philosophy of concurrent development and production to reduce the time-cycle from development to induction." Explaining how the Prithvi will probably be used in a conventional war, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says, "possession and deployment of a large number of Prithvi missiles can act as a deterrent and prevent a missile attack from our adversaries. In case of war, the powerful explosive and high accuracy of the Prithvi missile has enormous potential to bring life to a standstill in cities and urban areas, to affect the morale of the enemy. Also, a sizeable portion of the enemy Air Force would be engaged in neutralizing the mobile missile launchers...the deep penetration capability of the Prithvi missile, up to 250km range, will enhance the firepower of the Air Force against heavily defended targets in adverse weather conditions. In addition, the night attack capability of this missile will be useful for attacking targets like factories, petroleum dumps, marshalling yards, and other static installations." Kalam divulges that "the accuracy of the system at 250km will be further improved upon in phase II, when terminal homing guidance and anti-radiation systems will be integrated into the Prithvi system. A scheme for retrofit is being contemplated and designed. This capability will be an asset in attacking hard targets like armoured concentrations in their parking sites."
On India's plans to build hyperplanes in the future, Kalam divulges that "DRDO has entered into ramrocket systems where much higher energy levels (above 500 seconds with solid propellants and up to 1000 seconds with liquid propellants) will be realized. The scramjet engine will give energy level of 3000 seconds...this is not only for military application. These supersonic combustion engines have application for cruise missiles, launch vehicles, and hyperplanes in the future. India's proposed scramjet is designed for operating up to Mach 12. In the long term, it could become part and parcel of our jet aircraft too...India should at least take initiative in the elements of the hyperplane program so that India's hyperplane and future aerospace vehicles can be built around this power plant. The hyperplane can deliver a payload of above 30 tons for a take off weight of 250 tons, giving a quantum jump for the existing payload/take off ratios of max 3% to 15% through mass addition. A future hyperplane mission can have an integrated power plant complex working in three modes: fan ramjet engine mode in low altitude, low-speed flight regimes; scramjet engine mode in Mach number range 3 to 12 along with in-flight air-liquification and mass addition; rocket engine mode till payload launching...our aerospace scientists start with the design, development and integration of fixed geometry air intakes for a wide Mach number range supported extensively by analytical tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics and experimental set up like hypersonic wind tunnels. The combustor development including the material, fabrication technology, and combustion kinetics has just begun. Test and evaluation facilities are to be planned for prototype and full-scale engine testing."
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Y S Rajan, "Strategic Industries," India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, (New Delhi: Penguin Books India (P) Ltd: 1998), pp. 198-199, 200-201, 213-214.
1998
Commenting on dual-use technologies, the principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, says that India must focus on the development of technologies in the "aviation and propulsion sector, high-end electronics, sensors, space communications, and remote sensing, critical materials and processing, robotics and artificial intelligence." He further claims that India is almost "at par with the developed countries in the area of solid propellant power plants." The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has also developed "technologies of storable liquid propellants and related propulsion."
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Y.S. Rajan, "Strategic Industries," India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, (New Delhi: Penguin Books India (P) Ltd: 1998), pp. 195, 213.
1998
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) reports that projects to develop "large diameter rocket motors, thrust vector control systems like flex and swivel nozzle," are currently under development. In addition, Indian missile laboratories are developing "nitrogen gas generators" to replace "air bottles" in missiles.
—Dr. N.C. Birla and B.S. Murthy, eds., "Propulsion Systems," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems, (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), p. 92.
1998
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) reports that it may begin producing "dry tuned gyros" for missiles by the end of 1998. The dry tuned gyro after "detailed test evaluation, modeling, and S/W compensation" is expected to give "0/1deg/hr, 200ppm class performance." The design of a "fiber optic gyro...of open loop design is under progress," and a "close loop integrated optics version is likely to come to the laboratory model stage by the year 2000. A ring laser gyro of 0.1deg/hr (1σ) class is planned to be produced by 2000...with the participation of an academic institution where the first pre-production model has been developed and tested..."
—Dr. N.C. Birla and B.S. Murthy, eds., "Inertial Guidance and Sensors," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems, (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), pp. 157-158.
January 1998
The convenor of the BJP's foreign policy cell, Brajesh Mishra, declares that the cornerstone of the BJP's foreign and defense policy will be the exercise of India's nuclear option. According to Mishra, the party has calculated that although initially there could be serious consequences, "[the] hullabaloo would die down and the India would be accepted as a full-fledged nuclear power, even by the United States." The BJP would like to provide more budgetary support to the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and ensure that the development and testing of the Agni II are given top priority.
—Neena Vyas, "BJP in Govt. to Exercise N-Option," Hindu (Chennai), 14 January 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
27 April 1998
US intelligence sources allege that Russia is helping India to build a sea-launched ballistic missile. The sea-launched missile, Sagarika, is believed to have a range of 200 miles. However, the sources admit that the precise nature of Russian assistance is unclear. The Clinton administration first confronted Russia with evidence about the missile cooperation in 1995. At that time Russian officials admitted that scientists from quasi-public research institutes were providing technical cooperation to India; but cooperation was limited to technology needed to launch the missile from underwater and did not involve assistance with the missile's design. Russian also assured the United States that missile cooperation with India would "continue to be circumscribed." However, US intelligence sources contend that Russian research institutes and scientists have provided India with "significant engineering services" as well as parts and equipment necessary to build and launch the missile. But the US State Department, Pentagon, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are not in agreement about whether the missile cooperation is a violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Some US officials believe that in cooperating on the Sagarika program, Russia has clearly violated MTCR rules; others contend that it "slips under the limits of the agreement." There are also conflicting intelligence estimates about whether the Sagarika is a cruise or a ballistic missile. A spokesperson from the Russian embassy, while refusing to discuss the missile issue, says that Russia fully complies with its commitments under the MTCR.
—Steven Lee Myers, "Russia is Helping India Extend Range of Missile, US Aides Say," New York Times, 27 April 1998, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, "Equipping the Navy for War on Land," Times of India (New Delhi), 13 July 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>; "Russia Denies Helping India Create Missile," Russia Today, 28 April 1998, <http://www.russiatoday.com>; "Russia Denies Helping India Develop Submarine-Launched Missiles," Rediff on the Net, 28 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.
27 April 1998
Reacting to reports on the Sagarika, an Indian defense ministry spokesman says that "India does not have any such project."
—"India denies US newspaper report of missile development," PTI (New Delhi), 27 April 1998, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 April 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 April 1998
A US State Department official says that "we [United States] know that India is working on a missile called Sagarika and we understand this is a long-term project which is still in the early stages of development...we also understand that the project is being developed in conjunction with efforts to build and design a nuclear-powered ballistic submarine." Explaining the US concern about the Sagarika program, a senior Pentagon official says, "the key sensitivity is that the Indians will learn how to launch something from under water–get it above and ignite an engine...and then they'll go to the next step after that on their own, something with a longer range."
—"Russia Denies Helping India Develop Submarine-Launched Missiles," Rediff on the Net, 28 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.
28 April 1998
White House spokesperson Michael McCurry comments on the Sagarika controversy. McCurry says, "all that we have established, since we watch these matters extraordinarily carefully, is that we have made no determination at this point that any cooperation we have detected [between Russia and India] is a violation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines...there are sanctions that arise when we see any type of export activity that is in contravention of MTCR guidelines, and we have no made that determination or finding nor have we imposed any sanctions."
—Sridhar Krishnaswami, "US sees no violation of MTCR so far," Hindu (Chennai), 29 April 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
28 April 1998
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson denies that Russia is helping India to build sea-launched missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Similarly, Yevgeny Ananyev, director of Russia's state-run export company, Rosvooruzheniye, says "we have no access to India's missile program; it is closed for us...in some way or the other, Rosvooruzheniye is involved in all projects of military-technical cooperation with India, and I have not come across any such fact."
—"Russia Denies Helping India Create Missile," Russia Today, 28 April 1998, <http://www.russiatoday.com>; "Russia Denies Report on Sagarika Missile," Indian Express (Mumbai), 29 April 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.
4 May 1998
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) sources say that the government has approved the second phase of the Agni program to increase the missile's range. In this phase, the Agni's design will be modified and additional tests will be conducted to verify the modifications. Indian defense sources disclose that after the missile's last test in February 1994, the "Agni project team was never disbanded and worked on fine tuning the know-how acquired from the Agni's three tests continued quietly..."
—"Govt. okays Agni's upgradation," Indian Express (Mumbai), 4 May 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>;
Atul Aneja, "Agni likely to be made battle ready," Hindu (Chennai), 5 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
11 May 1998
An Indian defense official reveals that contrary to popular perceptions that India had put its Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP) on hold under US pressure, the projects were never capped "completely." The official explains, "how can we stop working on it? We cannot take a risk of reaching in a stage of technology-gap...capping the missile program at this stage means creating a considerable technological gap, and India cannot afford to do that keeping in mind India's war-history." Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) sources suggest that "Pakistan's Ghauri has given the country [India] a golden opportunity to legitimize R&D on the sophisticated missile projects."
—"Agni project was never capped," Hindu (Chennai), 11 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
11 May 1998
India conducts three underground nuclear tests at its Pokhran test site in the Rajasthan desert. The tests include a fission device, a low-yield device, and a thermonuclear device. According to an Indian government press release, "the measured yields [from the tests] are in line with expected values...these tests have established that India has a proven capability for a weaponized nuclear program."
—Press Release, Embassy of India (Washington, DC), 11 May 1998, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.
13 May 1998
India conducts two underground nuclear tests. The tests are carried out to "generate additional data for improved computer simulation of designs and for attaining the capability to carry out subcritical experiments, if considered necessary."
—Press Release, Embassy of India (Washington, DC), 13 May 1998, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.
17 May 1998
Indian defense scientists announce at a press conference that India has become a nuclear weapon state and the five nuclear weapon tests at Pokhran were a "culmination" of a "weaponization program" jointly undertaken by the defense and atomic energy establishments. The scientific advisor to India's defense minister Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says "the Defence Research & Development Organization [DRDO] and the Department of Atomic Energy have effectively and efficiently coordinated and integrated their respective technological strengths in a national mission to confer the country with a capability to vacate nuclear threats." Dr. Kalam clarifies that the "command and control" structure, which had been previously existed in various forms was now being "consolidated." Kalam also confirms that "our [Indian] missiles are designed to take any type of warhead...we have tested the size, weight, performance, and vibrations (of warheads)." Providing further details on the Agni, Kalam says that the government has authorized the DRDO to develop a longer-range variant of Agni. DRDO is developing an all solid-fuel and a two-stage liquid-fuel variant of the Agni.
—"Weaponisation is now complete, say scientists," Hindu (Chennai), 18 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
17 May 1998
Indian defense sources say that the Agni program has been revived. The scientific advisor to the defense minister Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam tells a press conference that the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is working "on the next version of the Agni." Kalam says, "the [present] project has been completed, and if needed, the Agni can be made in large numbers."
—Neelesh Misra, "India Perfecting Delivery System For Nuclear Weapons," AAP Information Services Pvt. Ltd., 18 May 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 May 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
26 May 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes says that India will "inevitably arm" its missiles with nuclear warheads. According to Fernandes, "without weaponization, this question of being a nuclear weapons state does not make sense...nuclear weaponization is necessary, and in the ultimate analysis inevitable."
—"India will 'inevitably' arm missiles with nuclear warheads," AFP, 26 May 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 May 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
June 1998
The defense ministry says that India will start testing a new version of the Prithvi, named Dhanush, in December 1998.
—"India to Test New Prithvi," Aviation Week and Space Technology, Vol. 148, No. 26 (New York), 29 June 1998, p. 31, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 June 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
3 June 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes informs parliament that the government plans to increase the range of the Agni surface-to-surface missile (SSM).
—"India clears plan for improved ballistic missile," AFX News, 3 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 June 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
16 June 1998
Radio Pakistan alleges that India's BJP government has given clearance for the deployment of the Prithvi along the Indo-Pakistani border; the Indian armed forces "are selecting sites in a belt 20-30km from Pakistan's borders for this purpose."
—"Pakistan Radio Reports India's Deployment of Prithvi Missiles Near Border," Radio Pakistan (Islamabad), 16 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 June 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
29 June 1998
According to Indian defense ministry sources, the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) will test a new 220-mile version of the Prithvi–the Dhanush–soon. When queried on the subject of Indo-Russian missile cooperation, the official explains, "of course there has been long-standing scientific cooperation with Russia in general technology areas...we are trying to get technology from Israel, too."
—"India To Test New Prithvi," Aviation Week & Space Technology (New York), Vol. 148, No. 26, p. 31, 29 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 June 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
8 July 1998
The Indian parliament's standing committee on defense urges the government to press ahead with the development of long-range missiles. Its report on defense says that both China and Pakistan have missiles that can reach any part of India and that India has no credible deterrent against China. To redress this imbalance, "the government should go ahead full-steam in a time bound manner to develop a full range of missiles, in addition to variants of the Agni currently under development, as a deterrent to potential enemies from using their ballistic missile capabilities against any of our assets."
—"Indian panel urges big push on missiles," Washington Times, 11 July 1998, p. A7.
13 July 1998
An Indian naval defense analyst says that Sagarika is not a ballistic missile; it is an air-breathing cruise missile with a stand-off land attack capability. Sagarika was a late entrant in India's guided missile program. Design and development of the missile began in 1990 and since 1992 the Sagarika has been under development at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bangalore (Karnataka). The design and development phase will be completed by 2000, and deployment will commence soon afterwards.
—Rahul Roy Chaudhury, "Equipping the Navy for War on Land," Times of India (New Delhi), 13 July 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
16 July 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes informs parliament that steps have been initiated to meet the new requirements of the armed forces in the wake of India becoming a nuclear power.
—"Steps taken to meet forces requirements after N-Tests: Fernandes," Rediff on the Net, 16 July 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.
16 July 1998
According to Asian Age, India plans to test two Agni II missiles in August 1999. The new version will have a range of 2,000km with a one-ton payload. Preparations to produce the solid-fueled stages of the missile have been hurried up, suggesting an urgency in not only developing an improved version of the missile, but also in beginning its series production. The Indian government denies these reports. A defense ministry spokesperson says, "there is no truth in reports that test-firing of the upgraded version of the intermediate-range ballistic missile [Agni] is to take place in August."
—"India to test nuclear weapon-compatible missile," DPA, 16 July 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 July 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Ministry denies reports of Agni," Rediff on the Net, 16 July 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.
12 August 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes holds a meeting with the parliament's defense consultative committee to discuss the Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP). Among others, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, and Defense Secretary Ajit Kumar also attend the meeting. Fernandes reiterates that the government has approved the development of the second phase of the Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with an enhanced range. He says that efforts are on to ensure that there was no adverse impact of sanctions on the missile program, which is in a "very advanced stage of development." Fernandes also says that the 150km-range Prithvi I has already been inducted into the Army and development work on the 250km-range Air Force version, the Prithvi II, has been completed.
—"Govt. approves second phase of Agni missile programme," Times of India (New Delhi), 12 August 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
17 August 1998
The defense ministry announces that the Balasore Interim Test Range (ITR), where most of India's missiles have been tested, is being upgraded to the level of a world-class range facility. The range is being upgraded to meet the urgent requirements of the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO). According to defense ministry sources, in-house facilities for repair and maintenance have been upgraded continuously. Efforts are underway to develop a system for aiding safety decisions during launch.
—"Interim Test Range to be upgraded," Indian Express (Mumbai), 18 August 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.
September 1998
The Indian government clears a Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) project to integrate a number of high-end Russian anti-aircraft/anti-ballistic missile systems such as the S-300V and S-300P with Israeli fire-control radar and battle management systems to create a limited anti-ballistic missile system. The proposed Indian anti-ballistic missile system will be designed to intercept Pakistani M-11 type missiles; but it will not have the capability to intercept longer-range missiles such as the Ghauri, which have a peak velocity of 4km/second. The project is expected to cost 20 billion rupees.
—Manoj Joshi, "Dubious Shield," India Today (New Delhi), 19 October 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.
2 September 1998
First test-flight of the Nishant unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
—"Nishant finally in the air," Times of India (New Delhi), 2 February 2001, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
4 September 1998
Indian defense ministry sources say that the 2,500km-range Agni II is almost ready and will be tested in the "very near future." The development of the "superior Agni II has reached a definitive stage," the sources said.
—"2,500-km plus Agni II almost ready," Rediff on the Net, 4 September 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.
4 September 1998
Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes admits that India is developing the Sagarika submarine-launched cruise missile. He also reiterates that the development of the Agni II is on course and the missile will be tested soon.
—"Agni-II to be Test-Fired Soon," Hindu (Chennai), 4 September 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>; "Agni-II range to be enhanced: Fernandes," Times of India (New Delhi), 5 September 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
October 1998
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) conducts static tests of "specialized" warheads for the Prithvi, which includes the pre-fragmented variable mass warhead.
—Dinesh Kumar, "Naval version of Prithvi will be test fired shortly," Times of India (New Delhi), 24 April 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
13 November 1998
Indian Defense Secretary Ajit Kumar and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Mikhailov finalize the details for a new 10-year Indo-Russian defense agreement, which will be signed during President Boris Yeltsin visit to New Delhi in December 1998. Kommersant Daily says that India is planning to purchase six Russian S-300V air defense systems, which are capable of destroying both aircraft and ballistic missiles. According to the S-300V's chief designer, Alexander Lemansky, India has indicated its preference to take the S-300 complexes from the Russian defense ministry's stocks, rather than wait 18 months until new ones are built. Reports say that the Russian system will be integrated with the indigenously developed Rajendra radar and Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM).
—Vladimir Radyuhin, "India, Russia to expand defence cooperation," Hindu (Chennai), 14 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
30 November 1998
Addressing a press conference on the eve of "Navy Week," Indian Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat says that work on the naval version of the Prithvi is progressing well, and missiles will be deployed on board a ship by 26 January 1999 on an "experimental basis." Bhagwat says that "launching Prithvi from a ship is a demanding task because of the roll and pitch of the vessel and other factors." He said, "we already have Prithvi, but certain modifications have to be carried out. We have to ensure that all systems of a missile should be sufficiently reliable to function effectively at sea under tough weather conditions." Bhagwat dismisses reports about the Sagarika missile as "fiction" and says, "we have no project called Sagarika."
—"Prithvi naval version to be deployed by Jan. 26," Hindu (Chennai), 1 December 1998, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
December 1998
India launches a joint Army-Air Force military exercise—Exercise Shiva Shakti—along the Indo-Pakistan border in the Rajasthan desert to simulate India's ability to survive and win in a "nuclear and chemical war." The Army deploys Prithvi missiles during the exercise.
—Prakash Nanda, "Biggest military exercise begins near border," Times of India (New Delhi), 3 December 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
3 December 1998
Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes informs parliament that India's talks with the United States and other states have not led to any changes in the plans for the Agni missile program. He says that India has explained its security concerns to the United States and that the government has approved the development of a longer-range state-of-the-art Agni to address those threat perceptions.
—"No change in Agni programme: George," Times of India (New Delhi), 3 December 1998, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
4 December 1998
India cancels a test of the Agni II due to technical problems.
—Bhashyam Kasturi, "India Treads Cautiously on Test Firing of Agni-II," Deccan Herald News Service, Bangalore, 16 March 1999; in "Daily Lists Reasons for Indian Missile Postponement," FBIS Document FBIS-FTS19990317000384, 17 March 1999.
9 December 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes reiterates that India is getting ready to test its long-range Agni missile. Fernandes tells reporters, "you will hear about it in the future."
—"Long-range 'Agni' missile getting ready: Fernandes," Indian Express (Mumbai), 9 December 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.
9 December 1998
Principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, tells reporters that India is ready to sell tactical missiles within two years to its "political friends." These missiles include the Trishul and Akash surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and NAG anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). Kalam admits that the government will not allow him to sell Prithvi. He says, "we want to communicate that certain types of missiles are marketable as our aerospace and military technology is comparatively cheaper."
—"India's strategic missiles to be battle-ready by 2000," AFP, 9 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 December 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
10 December 1998
The principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, announces that "by 2000, all the strategic and tactical missiles will be made in the country [India]. He also discloses that the Nishant remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) will be ready for induction in 1999."
—"India will be missile power by 2000-Kalam," Hindu (Chennai), 10 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 December 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
13 December 1998
A defense ministry report tabled in parliament says a 250km-range naval version of the Prithvi is under development. The missile will be capable of being launched from a ship; the missile will be deployed on an experimental basis on certain combat ships by the end of January 1999.
—"Defence Ministry of firing range of Prithvi surface-to-surface missile," PTI (New Delhi), 13 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 December 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
December 1998
India and Russia sign a new 10-year defense cooperation accord on 21 December 1998. According to unnamed Indian defense sources, Russia will assist India in the development of the Sagarika missile; another Indian defense source says that the Sagarika will be armed with nuclear warheads.
—Rahul Bedi, "Russia Signs to Help India," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 30, No. 21 (Coulsdon, Surrey), 25 November 1998, p. 4; "India, Russia sign 10-Year Defence Cooperation Accord," AFP, 21 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, 21 December 1998, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
1999
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) says that Prithvi's range will be extended to 350km.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India to Develop Extensive Nuclear Missile Arsenal," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 24 May 1999, p. 14.
20 January 1999
During a visit to Japan, India's Foreign Secretary K. Raghunath says that India is likely to test a new missile in January.
—"India to test-fire new missile this month: Raghunath," Times of India (New Delhi), 20 January 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
21 January 1999
The district collector of Balasore (Orissa) and federal defense officials meet to arrange for the temporary evacuation of four villages on 23-24 January 2001 for the proposed missile tests at the Interim Test Range (ITR). The defense ministry in New Delhi declines to comment on the reported meeting, but does not deny it.
—"Missile tests not put off under international pressure: govt.," Statesman (Calcutta), 21 January 1999, in Lexis Nexis Academic Universe, 21 January 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
January 1999
Dhanush test is delayed due to technical problems.
—Shishir Gupta, "India Buckles, Test-Firing of Agni Put Off Indefinitely," Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 21 January 1999, <http://www.hindustantimes.com>.
January 1999
India postpones a scheduled test of the Agni II.
—Tara Shankar Sahay, "Agni put to bed 'indefinitely,' confirms MOD," Rediff on the Net, 21 January 1999, <http://www.rediff.com>.
22 January 1999
Indian government sources clarify that the Agni and Dhanush missiles will be tested during the summer of 1999. The tests have been postponed due to technical snags, which have not been rectified. They dismiss as "highly speculative and unwarranted" a report, which said that plans to test the missiles had been given up indefinitely. A government source asserts, "there is no diplomatic or political angle to the delay...if India could carry out nuclear tests last year [May 1998], test-firing of missiles, which is part of an ongoing program, need not be influenced by extraneous factors."
—"Govt. refutes speculative report on 'Agni'," Times of India (New Delhi), 22 January 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
26 January 1999
India displays the Agni missile publicly for the first time during the Republic Day parade.
—"Agni Hogs Limelight at R-Day Parade," Hindu (Chennai), 27 January 1999, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
8 February 1999
The Asian Age reports that India is developing an 8,000km-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by marrying the Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) Agni technology with the The Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The Indian government denies the report. An Indian defense ministry spokesperson says, "the report is incorrect, fabricated, and has no basis."
—"Government denies developing ICBM through Agni missile," Rediff on the Net, 8 February 1999, <http://www.rediff.com>; "India denies report on developing long-range missile," DPA, 8 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 February 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
18 February 1999
The Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) clarifies that all Indian missiles are "explicitly Y2K proof and cannot be accidentally triggered or guided to the wrong target, because of a possible effect of the Year 2000 computer glitch." The Chief Controller, Research & Development at DRDO. Dr. Sivathanu Pillai states that Indian missile scientists have conducted simulation experiments to ensure that all computers used in indigenously developed missiles, as well as those incorporated in ground-support systems are Y2K compliant.
—"Indian missiles Y2K proof," Hindu (Chennai), 18 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 February 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
3 March 1999
Preparations to test the Agni II from the IC-4 Inner Wheeler's Island off the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur (Orissa) are completed. The test is likely to occur sometime between 5-7 March. India's defense ministry declines to confirm or deny reports about the impending test.
—Agni-2 to be test-fired from Orissa coast this week," Rediff on the Net, 3 March 1999, <http://www.rediff.com>.
4 March 1999
Agni II test is aborted due to technical problems.
—Atul Aneja, "Technical Snag Aborts 'Dhanush' Launch," Hindu (Chennai), 15 March 1999, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
5 March 1999
Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes and the government's principal scientific advisor Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visit Inner Wheeler's Island. After conferring with senior scientists, they decide to postpone the Agni test. Fernandes says that the government has not made any decision on the test. However, government sources admit that current preparations on the island are linked to the missile test. The Indian government extends the navigational area warning to aviators and ships to keep out of the designated missile testing zone until 9 March 1998.
—"Agni II test put off till further orders," Rediff on the Net, 5 March 1999, <http://www.rediff.com>; "No decision yet on Agni-2 test-firing," Hindu (Chennai), 5 March 1999, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>; Atul Aneja, "Technical snag aborts 'Dhanush' launch," Hindu (Chennai), 15 March 1999, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
7 March 1999
Responding to media queries on the Agni test, Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes says that, "the Agni project is in good shape and it will be test-fired at an appropriate time."
—"Agni test at appropriate time," Hindu (Chennai), 8 March 1999, <http://www.hinduonnet.com/>.
9 March 1999
A planned test of the Dhanush is aborted due to technical problems. However, Pakistani news sources say that the test failed and the Indian navy is trying to keep it a secret.
—Atul Aneja, "Technical Snag Aborts 'Dhanush' Launch," Hindu (Chennai), 15 March 1999, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; Zafar Mehmood Malik, "Pakistani Paper Reports Failure of Indian Missile Test," Jang (Rawalpindi), 15 March 1999, pp. 1, 7, in FBIS Document FTS19990315001032, 15 March 1999.
11 April 1999
India tests the Agni II missile from a new launch facility at the IC-4 on Wheeler's Island. The new facility has been built to bypass the problem of evacuating villagers from the Interim Test Range's (ITR) surrounding areas every time a missile is tested. This is the fourth test in the Agni program. The 20 meter-high missile is launched from a rail-mobile platform at 9:47 a.m. and reaches the point of impact in 11 minutes. Defense Minister George Fernandes says that, "we [India] have reached the point of operationalization of Agni II as a weapon system." The salient features of this test are demonstration of mobile launch capability; an all solid-solid propulsion system; range of over 2,000km; improved guidance and navigation system; and an advanced communication interface. According to Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) sources the Agni II is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS); satellite inputs during the missile's flight time help an on-board computer to correct for navigational errors and improve accuracy. Unlike the earlier models, which used a liquid configuration in the second stage, the Agni-II has an all solid-fuel configuration. The Agni's designers and engineers say that the missile is highly mobile and can be transported by rail or road anywhere within India. When compared to the Agni I, which required half a day of preparation for launch, the Agni II can be launched within 15 minutes. The Agni II also incorporates a terminal navigation and guidance system; the missile uses ground-based beacons to correct for deviations in the missile's path even as it travels at hypersonic speeds of over Mach 14. According to DRDO's chief controller of R&D (missiles), the Agni's accuracy has been "improved by a factor of three." Indian nuclear and missile scientists also test an actual nuclear warhead assembly without its plutonium core during the test. In an earlier static test involving a dummy warhead, severe vibrations had caused it to trigger prematurely due to a high-arching voltage problem. Flight telemetry data from the Agni's test shows that the dummy warhead's safety locks unlocked in a predetermined manner.
—"Over 2,000km Range Agni-II Successfully Test-Fired," Times of India (New Delhi), 12 April 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>; Manvendra Singh, "Agni-II Adds Fire Power to N-Deterrence," Indian Express (Bombay), 12 April 1999, <http://www.expressindia.com>; Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 32, (Coulsdon, Surrey), 2000, p. 73; "Agni-II joins nation's missile showcase," Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 11 April 1999, <http://www.hindustantimes.com>; Raj Chengappa, "Boom for Boom," India Today (New Delhi), 26 April 1999, <http://www.india-today.com>.
11 April 1999
Following the successful test of the Agni II, Prime Minister Vajpayee, in a public address to the nation says, "[the test] is a vindication of our steadfast commitment to self-reliance. In a rapidly changing security environment, India cannot depend on others to defend her. We have to develop our own indigenous capabilities. Agni is a symbol of a resurgent India which is able to say: 'Yes, we will stand on our own feet'...as was the case with nuclear tests at Pokhran in May last year [1998], the test-firing of the Agni missile is also a purely defensive step...Agni is proof of our determination to strengthen our national security so comprehensively that we can defend ourselves. I have said earlier, and I reiterate, that India remains committed to minimum deterrence, to no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and never to use them against non-nuclear weapon states.
—Address to the Nation by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee," Discover India: Ministry of External Affairs, 11 April 1999, <http://www.meadev.gov.in>.
April 1999
The principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, reveals that contrary to popular perceptions, the Agni project was never stopped; all governments supported it. He also says the Agni's import content is less than 10% and India now has the indigenous capability to design, develop, and produce any type of missile. When asked if it was feasible to declare the Agni II operational after a single test, Kalam says that India has data from three previous tests of the Agni I and 16 flight-tests of the Prithvi. In addition, the simultaneous monitoring of over 600 test parameters and ground simulation technologies obviate the need for multiple flight-tests. Kalam also says that the Agni was "never conceived only as a nuclear weapon system. What it did was to afford us [India] the option of developing the ability to delivery non-nuclear weapons with precision at long ranges. That it provided us with a viable non-nuclear option was of the greatest relevance to contemporary strategic doctrines."
—"Interview: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, " India Today (New Delhi), 26 April 1999, <http://www.india-today.com>; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography, (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 153.
11 April 1999
The United States expresses regret at India's decision to test the Agni II. White House spokesperson Nanda Chitre says, "we regret the decision to go ahead with this test...[the Agni test] appears to be out of step with recent political developments in the region."
—"US 'regrets' Indian ballistic missile test," AFP, 11 April 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 April 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India triggers missile row," Daily Mail (London), 12 April 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 April 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
12 April 1999
Pakistan reacts angrily to India's test of the Agni II. A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson says that "the development of Agni II adds to our concerns and is a threat to our security." Pakistan's Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz comments that "since they [India] have gone ahead, we will probably have to give a befitting response."
—"India triggers missile row," Daily Mail (London), 12 April 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 April 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
14 April 1999
The principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, tells Indian defense analyst Brahma Chellaney in television interview that the Agni is "operationally ready." Referring to nuclear warheads, he says that the Agni can carry "special warheads." Kalam adds that the scientists have completed their job and "it is for the government" to proceed with the deployment of the Agni II.
—"Agni-II 'ready' to carry N-warhead," Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 15 April 1999, <http://www.hindustantimes.com>.
April 1999
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) scientists say that a 3,500km-range Agni III is in the advanced stages of development.
—Rahul Bedi, "India: No Arms Race, No Danger," Jane's Defence Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 21 April 1999, p. 3.
April 1999
The principal scientific advisor to the Indian government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, says that the Agni II is designed to carry a nuclear warhead; he also says that the May 1998 nuclear tests included a test of an Agni-class payload.
—Rahul Bedi, "Agni-II IRBM: Built to Carry Nuclear Warhead," Jane's Defence Weekly Vol. 31, No. 17 (Coulsdon, Surrey), 28 April 1999, p. 7.
24 April 1999
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials say that they are preparing to test a 350km-range naval version of the Prithvi ballistic missile, named Dhanush. The missile has been designed, fabricated, and installed, and is currently undergoing tests. According to DRDO officials, "efforts to launch the missile from a ship have been underway," and a launcher stabilization system is crucial since ships are unstable missile launch platform on sea.
—Dinesh Kumar, "Naval version of the Prithvi will be test fired shortly," Times of India (New Delhi), 24 April 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
24 April 1999
Indian defense officials say that they are preparing to carry out user trials of the Air Force version (250km-range) of the Prithvi. Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials have already conducted three user-trials of the Air Force version, which is also known as the Prithvi II.
—Dinesh Kumar, "Naval version of the Prithvi will be test fired shortly," Times of India (New Delhi), 24 April 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
May 1999
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) officials say that a 250km-range Dhanush will be tested in late 1999.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India to Develop Extensive Nuclear Missile Arsenal," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 24 May 1999, p. 14.
May 1999
Indian Minister of Defense George Fernandes denies reports that India is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Surya.
—"India Not Planning to Create Agni-3 IRBM or Surya ICBM," RIA Novosti (Moscow), 11 May 1999.
May 1999
Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) sources say that program to develop Surya is likely to cost $50 million and the missile will be ready for launch by mid-2001. An advanced version of the Surya will also be developed after the first missile is tested. About 90 scientific and private institutions are participating in the development of the Surya. DRDO scientists disclose that they are also working on a project to extend the range of the Army-version of the Prithvi (SSM-150) from 150km to 350km; a 250km-range naval-version of the missile will be tested later during 1999. In addition, 20 2,000km-range Agni ballistic missiles will be built at a cost of $150 million by the end of 2001.
—Vivek Raghuvanshi, "India To Develop Extensive Nuclear Missile Arsenal," Defense News (Springfield, VA), 24 May 1999, p. 14.
16 May 1999
India's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Ashok Yashwant Tipnis, says that the Air Force would like to take possession of the Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
—"Let's be stronger and smarter, says IAF chief," Times of India (New Delhi), 16 May 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
26 May 1999
Second operational launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C2). Three satellites–IRS-P4 (India), KITSAT (South Korea), and DLR-TUBSAT (Germany)–successfully placed in orbit.
—"Multiple payload launch becomes reality," Times of India (Mumbai), 27 May 1999, <http://www.timesofindia.com>.
May-July 1999 |
