The 4, 000-km range nuclear-capable strategic missile Agni-IV was successfully test-fired from the Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as the Wheeler Island, on Monday morning.
“The test of the surface-to-surface missile was a success. It has met all mission requirements,” sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.
This was the fifth trial of Agni-IV missile. The last trial conducted by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) on December 2, 2014 was successful.
The two-stage missile weighs 17 tonnes and is 20 metred in length. The Agni-IV can carry a nuclear warhead weighing about one tonne.
This misile is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles, which was earlier known as Agni II Prime. The missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield.
Having a strike range of 4,000 km, the missile can be launched from both rail and road mobile launchers, which gives it more flexibility and wide range of operational success.
The Army has already deployed Agni-I, II and III missiles which are all capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The Agni-IV and Agni-V are yet to be introduced in the Army.