Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Balasore, Apr 27:

India today successfully carried out the user trail of its intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-III from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.

The missile lifted off from Launch Pad No. 4 of the Integrated Test Range located on the island at 9.12 a.m., sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

publive-image Pic Courtesy: Indian Defence Forum

The Strategic Forces Command, an especially raised missile-handling unit of the Indian Army, carried out the test with logistics support from DRDO.

Agni-III has a strike range of more than 3,000 km and capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine. With a length of 17 metres, the missile's diameter is 2 metres and weight is around 2,200 kg.

The missile was inducted in the armed forces in June, 2011.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated DRDO on the successful user trial of Agni-III.