India on Tuesday, February 6, successfully test-fired its short-range nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-1 with a strike range of over 700 km from a test range off the Odisha coast, Defence sources told PTI.
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile was launched as part of a periodic training activity by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Army to consolidate operational readiness, they said.
The state-of-the-art missile was launched around 8:30 am from a mobile launcher at Pad 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at the Dr Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, the sources said.
Describing the trial a "complete success", they said that all the mission objectives were met during the test.
It was the 18th version of Agni-I, which could achieve all parameters within the stipulated time period, Defence sources further told IANS.
The missile was inducted into service in 2004, the sources added.
The trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and naval ships right from its launch till the missile hit the target area with pinpoint accuracy.Defence source to PTI
The sophisticated Agni-I missile is propelled by a solid rocket propellant system and is equipped with a specialised navigation system that ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of precision, they said.
The missile has proved its performance in terms of range, accuracy and lethality, the sources said.
Weighing around 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I can carry payloads up to 1,000 kg and is capable of hitting a target beyond 700 km. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The Agni-I was developed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) in collaboration with the Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Research Centre Imarat (RCI). The missile was integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.
The ASL is the premier missile development laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The last trial was successfully conducted on 22 November 2016 from the same base, reported IANS.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
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