India successfully test fires nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-I

Bhubaneswar, February 6: Today India successfully test fired indigenously developed short-range nuclear-capable Agni-I (A) ballistic missile from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast in Balasore today at 8.30 AM conducted by Strategic Force Command of Indian Army. 

conducted the user trial of the 700 km range missile from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore. 

The trial reconfirms the Army’s readiness to fire it at short notice, the sources added. The Agni-I missile has a specialized navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision. It has proved its excellent performance in terms of range and accuracy. The 15-metre-long Agni-I weighing 12 tonnes can carry payloads up to 1,000 kg. The last trial was successfully conducted on November 22, 2016, from the same base.

It was 18th version of Agni-I, which could achieve all parameters within the stipulated time period, said Defence sources. The missile was inducted into service in 2004, the sources added. The surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was launched as part of a regular training exercise by the armed forces, said the Defence sources.

India currently has the Agni-I (700-km range), Agni-II (2,000-km range), Agni-III and Agni-IV (over 3,500-km range), and the supersonic Brahmos missiles. It had previously tested Agni-V on December 26, 2016, off Wheeler Island on the Odisha coast.

Minister for Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal expressing his pride on twitter saying that “India has successfully test-fired indigenously developed, short-range nuclear-capable Agni-I (A) ballistic missile. It reaffirms the country's indigenous missile capabilities.”