29.3.10

Agni-I test successful


The Agni-I ballistic missile, which has a strike range of 700 km, was test-fired from the Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast on Sunday morning. The test of the nuclear-capable Agni-I, which is capable of being fired from both road and rail mobile launchers, was significantly conducted by the tri-Service Strategic Forces Command (SFC). Designed specifically for Pakistan, the Agni-I bridges the gap between the already-inducted 150-350 km range Prithvi missiles and the 2,000-km-plus Agni-II missiles. First test-fired in January 2002, Agni-I has already been inducted into the armed forces. Sunday’s test was described as “a training trial’’ to ensure the SFC can fire the missile on its own, without help from scientists. The missile, which is powered by a single-stage solid fuel rocket, was equipped with a new navigational technology which helps it to home on to the target with precision. Since Agni-I can be fired from both rail-based and road-mobile launchers, it gives the armed forces greater operational flexibility in its use. India hopes to test its most ambitious ballistic missile, the 5,000-km range Agni-V, by early next year.

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