(Image source from: Successful Test Firing Of Agni-I Missile By India})
India has successfully test-fired indigenously built nuclear-capable Agni-I missile from a range off the Odisha coast. The missile is capable of hitting a target at a 700 kms distance. The missile was built as a part of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) training exercise.
At 10.02 am, the surface-to-surface, single-stage missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher. It is powered by solid propellants. It was test fired from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island).
According to defence sources, the trial was “part of training exercise by Strategic Forces Command of Indian Army”, and noted that it was a “perfect launch”.
“The exercise was conducted in a perfect manner and the trial was successful,” they said.
“The launch was undertaken as a part of periodic training activity by SFC to further consolidate operational readiness,” said the sources.
The trial’s trajectory was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, electro- optic instruments, telemetry observation stations, as well as naval ships from its launch till the missile hit the target area with accuracy, the sources said.
The sophisticated navigation system equipped in Agni-I missile ensures that it reaches the target with very high accuracy as well as precision.
According to the sources, the missile inducted into armed forces proved its performance excellently in terms of range, lethality and accuracy, the sources said.
Weighing 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I, is designed in such a way to carry a payload of over one ton. It is designed to extend strike range by reducing the payload.
Advanced Systems Laboratory developed the Agni-I. It is the premier missile development laboratory of DRDO in collaboration with Defence Research Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited. On 11 September 2014, the last trial of Agni-I, was conducted from the same base. It was also successful.
-Sumana
