Orissa, May 17: India’s very own nuclear-capable Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile was successfully test-fired Monday from the Wheelers Island off the Orissa coast.
A team from the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army conducted the “user trial” of the 2,000 km plus range weapon system, which is undoubtedly a significant step forward in context of India’s strategic outreach.
The missile that was test-fired was picked up randomly from the production lot since the missile has already been inducted.
The test was meant to re-establish confidence and confirm the missile’s readiness in the wake of two failed flight tests in May and November last year. The two trials were also carried out by Strategic Forces Command personnel as part of user training exercise.
The officials attributed the failure during the previous tests to “quality-related problems” and said there was “no fundamental flaw” with the design.
The indigenously-built Agni-II missile is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile. Its length is 21 metres, width one metre and launch weight is 17 tonnes.
It can carry a payload of one tonne over a distance of 2,000 km. However, the range can be extended if the payload is reduced.
Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other laboratories of DRDO and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.
Private industry has participated in a big way in its production, the sources said.
The missile is part of the Agni series which includes Agni-I of 700 km range and Agni-III of 3,500 km range. Agni-I has been inducted into the forces and Agni-III is in the process of induction.
—Agencies