Agni-IV test-fired

November 10, 2015 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

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