Agni-IV missile successfully test-fired off Odisha coast

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Baleswar, Nov 9:

The 4, 000 km range nuclear-capable strategic missile Agni-IV was successfully test-fired from Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, today at about 9.45 am.

Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) launched the missile from a road-mobile launcher at Integrated Test Range (ITR) this morning.

The two-stage missile weighs 17 tonnes and is 20 metres long. Agni-IV is a strategic missile which can carry a nuclear warhead weighing about one tonne.

Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as Agni II prime.This missile is one of its kind and represents a quantum leap in terms of missile technology. The missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield.

Having a strike range of 4,000 km, the two-stage solid propelled missile’s can be launched from both rail and road mobile launchers, which gives it more flexibility and wide range of operational success.

While the Army has already deployed Agni-I, II and III missiles, all of which are strategic missiles carrying nuclear warheads, Agni-IV and Agni-V have not been inducted into the Army yet.

“The test of the surface-to-surface missile was a success. It has met all mission requirements,” sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

This was the fifth trial of Agni-IV missile. The last trial conducted by SFC on December 2 last year was successful.