The Indian defense establishment has been left baffled by a brouhaha being generated in China over the yet-to-be-tested Agni-V ballistic missile. ``It seems quite contrived,'' said a top official. For one, Agni-V's first test is likely to take place only in end-2010 or early-2011. From there, it will take at least three years before the missile can be dubbed fully-operational since it will require four-five more tests, series production and user-trials by armed forces. For another, the 5,000-km strike range of Agni-V pales in comparison to already-operational Chinese missiles like Dong Feng-31A, which can hit targets 11,200 km away, or even the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile with a reach beyond 7,200 km. “China's missile and nuclear arsenal is leagues ahead of India, capable as it is of hitting any city in India. We can never compete. '' said the official.
