India successfully tests nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile

Balasore (Odisha): India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile on Dr Abdul Kalam Island, just off Odisha’s coast on Monday.

This is the seventh trial of the indigenously-developed surface-to-surface missile, defence sources said.

Agni-V is a three-stage missile that stands 17 metres tall and is two metres wide. It is capable of carrying a 1.5 tonne nuclear payload with several warheads and has a strike range of 5,000km,

Unlike other missiles in the series, Agni-5 is the most-advanced in terms of navigation and guidance, warheads and engine, officials said.

“The missile was launched with the help of a mobile launcher from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal on Monday afternoon,” said a defence source.

“It was an user associated trial and [a] strategic force command with DRDO scientists conducted it,” they said.

The missile, whose accuracy has been improved, is guided by an on-board computer backed by the Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System, the Micro Inertial Navigation System, and advanced compact avionics, according to DRDO officials.

It’s first two flights were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in open configuration. The third, fourth and fifth launches were from a canister integrated with a mobile launcher, in its deliverable configuration to enable launch after a very short preparation time as compared to an open launch.

The sixth trial was in June during which the missile was fired from a mobile launcher. Several new technologies were successfully tested during the sixth trial.

The Agni-5 also is more higher reliable than previous versions in the series, has a longer shelf life, requires less maintenance and features enhanced mobility, the sources said.

The same series is the Agni-1, with a 700km range, the Agni-2 with a 2,000km range, the Agni-3 and Agni-4, both with a 2,500-3,500km range.