In continuing user trials, Agni 1 ballistic missile was successfully launched from Wheeler Island, off Odisha coast, by the Strategic Forces Command today at 08.15 a.m.
The medium range ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation fulfilled its launch objectives, a release from the organisation said.
The ballistic missile is from the production lot, supplied by the public sector Bharat Dynamics Ltd. Today's launch is part of regular training exercise by the armed forces from the range located at Wheeler Island.
The launch was witnessed by top Defence scientists, top brass from the Armed Forces and the Strategic Forces Command.
The DRDO has developed Agni series of ballistic missiles of different ranges. These include Agni-1 (around 700 km); Agni-II (up to 2,000 km), Agni-III (up to 3,000 km), Agni-IV beyond 3,500 km and Agni-V which is beyond 5,000 km.
Describing the test as successful, ITR Director M.V.K.V. Prasad said, “It was a practice trial conducted by the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army.”
Agni-I, a single-stage missile powered by solid propellants, has a specialised navigation system which ensures that it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision, a Defence scientist said.
Weighing 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I, which is capable of carrying payloads up to 1,000 kg, has already been inducted into the Indian Army.
The last trial of the Agni-I missile was successfully carried out on July 13, 2012, from the same test range.