Agni-5 Ballistic Missile

• India has successfully tested Agni-V, validating the long range surface-to-surface ballistic missile’s reliability.
• This was the fifth test of the missile and the third consecutive one from a canister on a road mobile launcher. All the five missions have been successful.
• Agni-V, with a range of over 5,000 km, is India’s longest range ballistic missile and can reach most parts of China, making it the mainstay of India’s triad to deliver nuclear weapons.
• The user associate test-flight of the missile has further boosted indigenous missile capabilities and deterrence strength of the country.
• Agni-V is the most advanced missile in the Agni series with new technologies incorporated in it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
• The missile is so programmed that after reaching the peak of its trajectory, it will turn towards the Earth to continue its journey towards the intended target with an increased speed due to the attraction of the Earth’s gravitational pull, he said.
• Its path is precisely directed by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation system, the official added.

About Other Agni project:

Agni-I short-range ballistic missile

• The Agni-I is a short or intermediate-range ballistic missile. It was first tested at the interim test range in Chandipur off the coast of Orissa, India, in May 1989.
• The missile consists of a single engine. In March 2010, a nuclear-capable Agni-I was test fired from the integrated test range at Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.
• The missile can carry a conventional payload of 1,000kg or a nuclear warhead and has a range between 700km and 800km. These are transported by rail and road, and powered by solid propellants.

Agni-II medium-range ballistic missile

• The Agni-II is a medium-range ballistic missile equipped with two solid fuel stages. It was test fired in April 1999 from the IC-4 pad. The nuclear-capable Agni-II was tested by a special strategic command force in May 2010. The missile has a range of more than 2,000km and can reach most of the western, central and southern parts of China. A tank missile with top-attack, fire and forget capability was also inducted into service.

Agni-III intermediate range ballistic missile

• The Agni-III was test fired in July 2006 from Wheeler Island, but failed to reach its target. It was successfully test fired in April 2007. A third test in May 2008 proved the operational readiness of the missile. With a circular error probable under a 40m range, the missile is considered one of the most accurate strategic ballistic missiles of its range class in the world.

Agni-IV intermediate range ballistic missile

• Agni-IV is a two-stage nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile. The missile was first tested in November 2011 from Wheeler Island. It rose to an altitude of 900km during the test. It was successfully test-fired again in September 2012. It reached an altitude of 850km during its third test in January 2014. The missile was also successfully test-fired in January 2017.
• The Agni-IV has a length of 20m and weight of 17t. It can carry a payload of 800kg. The maximum range of the missile is 4,000km.

By: Vishal