The maiden launch of Agni-V, India's long range ballistic missile, scheduled on Wednesday evening from Wheeler Island of the coast of Orissa has been postponed on grounds of inclement weather. According to a statement from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), “Due to safety reasons out of heavy lightning and thunderstorms, the launch is rescheduled to April 19 morning”. The DRDO scientists, who had made thorough preparations for the launch of the 5000-km range, inter continental ballistic missile, at around 1900 hours, initially explored the option of a delayed launch around 2100 hours, but after a safety review decided to re-schedule. Agni-V, the home-grown, three-stage, 50 tonne, solid fuel propelled and 17 metre tall missile can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes, including a nuclear warhead. The success of the missile, will put India in the exclusive group of US, Russia, China and France with the capability of launching ICBMs. The DRDO, which develops and launches missiles, has already demonstrated an Agni variant in 2011 which can reach 3,500 km. Agni missile with ranges of 700 km, 1500 km and 3000 km have also been successfully developed.

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