Super Agni-V test-fired

New Delhi (PTI): India on Sunday successfully test-fired its inter-continental surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-V, with a strike range of over 5,000 km and capability of delivering a nuclear warhead with high precision, from a base off Odisha coast. The missile had its maiden launch last year. The missile was first tested in April 2012. Only the UN Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain – and Israel have long-range weapons.

"A symbol of DRDO's technological excellence and India's strength, Agni-V missile took off majestically at about 8.50 am from the launch complex of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheelar's Island," a DRDO official said. Describing the second trial of Agni-V, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, as fully successful, the official said the missile flew on a predefined path and reached its destination with expected precision. "India's inter-continental surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni V, capable of delivering nuclear warhead with high precision, was successfully launched today in a repeat of the spectacular maiden launch last year," a DRDO release said.

The indigenously developed missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne, is capable of striking a target more than 5000 km away. It is about 17- metres-long and 2-metres-wide with a launch weight of about 50 tonnes. The missile, powered by three-stage solid rocket motors, had a flawless launch in auto mode and followed its entire trajectory in textbook manner, dropping three motors at predefined stages into the ocean, the release said.

Ships located in mid-range and at target point tracked the vehicle and witnessed the final event. All the radars and electro- optical systems, ship-based and those based on ground stations along the path, monitored the performance parameters of the missile and displayed information in real time. All the systems and sub-systems of the missile, such as the launch system, navigation system, control systems, rocket motors and the re-entry package performed well.

The navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) ensured the missile reached the target point within few meters of accuracy. The high-speed onboard computer and fault-tolerant software along with robust and reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly. Defence Minister A K Antony congratulated scientists of DRDO and said they had "made the country proud". Praising DRDO scientists, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon said the event marked a milestone in the long- range missile era of India.

The launch also clears the way for its canisterisation. Agni-V missile, in its operational form, is designed to be stored and launched from a canister, enhancing its storage, operational readiness, transportability, response time and shelf life, he said. Sunday's launch was the second developmental trial of the DRDO-developed missile while the first test, conducted on 19 April, 2012, was a total success. In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with 2000 km range and Agni- 3 and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500 range. After some more trials, Agni-V will be inducted into the services, the sources said. Avinash Chander, Secretary Department of Defence R&D guided the launch. R K Gupta, project director, guided the team of scientists and personnel of the DRDO during the launch.