Agni-IV test-fired | Fusion - WeRIndia

With Diwali coming up, many people are bursting crackers and fireworks. However, on November 9th, India has successfully tested the nuclear capable Agni-IV ballistic missile. The missile which was launched from the A P J Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) off Odisha coast has a strike range of 4000 kilometres.

Agni IV is a two-stage missile system. This indigenously developed missile is 20 metres long. It weighs 17 tonnes.

The user trial was launched by the tri-Service Strategic Forces Command (SFC). Agni-IV, a two stage missile was fired from a mobile launcher at 9:45 am. DRDO officials stated that it met all mission parameters.

Agni-V which is the most formidable missile in the country is set to be tested in January-February. It has a range of 5,000 km. SFC has already inducted the Agni-I (700-km), Agni-II (2,000-km) and Agni-III (3,000-km).

The Agni-IV and Agni-V are now in a developmental phase. They are now in user trials and their induction can take place in another two to three years. Before this launch, the Agni-IV had one failed and four successful tests in the last five years. The last test was conducted in December 2014.

Agni-V has been tested three times so far. On January 30, 2015, the last test of Agni-V was conducted. It was like a milestone event as the missile was launched from a canister. The canister is made to give flexibility for armed forces to easily transport the missile and fire it from anywhere they want.

Agni-IV and Agni-V are road mobile missiles and they are meant for defense and prevention against China. China has a formidable inventory of long range missiles. They can target any Indian city. When the Agni-V is fully operational, the northernmost part of China will come under its strike envelope.

Image Credit: Universalashic / CC BY-SA 3.0

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agni_Missile_(DRDO,_Dighi,_Pune,_India_)_(1).jpg