An indigenously developed medium-range nuclear-capable Agni-II missile with a strike range of 2,000 km was successfully test-fired today from an island off the Odisha coast. The trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully tested the country’s longest-range indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile Agni-V in January and short-range nuclear-capable ballistic Agni-I earlier this month.
Coming on the heels of the successful test-firing on January 18 of its most advanced nuclear-capable three-stage solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Agni-V, as well as the Agni-1 missile trial on February 6, the test-firing exercise is set to provide a major boost to the country’s defence capabilities.
The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kg warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines, as well as advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory.
The first missile to be developed by the DRDO under India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, the Prithvi-II was inducted into India's armed forces in 2003.
The Agni-I, on the other hand, has an operational range of 700-900 kilometers and can carry a 1,000-kilogram conventional or nuclear payload. The Agni-I, fitted with an accurate inertial navigation system, was last successfully test fired on November 22, 2017.
Named for the Vedic god of fire, Agni-I is the father of the Agni family of non-nuclear and nuclear-capable missiles.