India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting airspace over the Bay of Bengal from May 6 to 9, covering a corridor of approximately 3,560 km from Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. This NOTAM, which informs pilots of conditions affecting flight safety, comes just days after Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir V Kamath stated that the R&D agency is ready to test India's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 10,000 km, the Agni-6, and is only awaiting government permission. The timing has raised expectations that the ICBM test may proceed.
BJP Hints at Agni-6 Readiness
On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dropped a significant hint regarding the issue. In a post on its official X account, the party declared, 'Agni-6: India marching towards becoming a superpower! With a strike range of 10,000+ km and MIRV technology, Agni-6 is ready to make history. This missile will make India's security impregnable and place us in the league of the world's most powerful nations. Powerful India, Secure India!' The BJP also shared a video explaining that only five countries currently possess intercontinental ballistic missiles: the United States, Russia, China, France, and Britain. It stated, 'Now, India is going to strengthen its position in the same league. Agni-6 is India's next-generation missile... With the strike power of long distance, India's reach is not only going to be regional but also going to be more global.'
MIRV Technology and Strategic Implications
Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology allows a single ballistic missile to deliver multiple nuclear warheads to different, distinct targets, enhancing strike capability and overcoming missile defences. This technology is a key feature of the Agni-6, which is expected to significantly bolster India's strategic deterrence. India recently conducted the second flight-test of a Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) with a strike range of over 1,500 km and a maximum speed of Mach 10, showcasing its growing missile capabilities.
The potential test of the Agni-6 marks a major milestone for India's defence sector, positioning the country among the elite group of nations with ICBM capabilities. The missile's extended range and advanced technology are expected to enhance India's global reach and security posture.
