After the successful test firing of its nuclear-capable, inter-continental ballistic missile – the Agni-V – from Abdul Kalam island last week, the Defence Forces in a show of strength on Monday successfully test-fired for the final time the Agni-IV missile from Balasore, Odisha.
The ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 km is a nuclear-capable two-stage, surface-to-surface missile that is 20 metres long and weighs 17 tonnes. It has the capacity to carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead.
As per reports, the indigenously developed AGNI-IV surface-to-surface missile is the most advanced long-range ballistic missile capable of being launched within minutes from a self-contained road mobile launcher.
The AGNI-IV has had five previous tests in 2011, 2012, 2014 (two test-flights) and 2015. This, however, was its final missile test.
Earlier on 26 December, India test-fired its nuclear-capable, inter-continental ballistic missile Agni-V. The missile has a range of over 5,000 km and will soon go for user trial.
(With agency inputs)