Agni V test-fired: 8 things about India's new missile that can strike northern part of China

Agni-V missile being displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 2013

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India's indigenously developed intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile 'Agni-5' was today successfully test-launched from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. This was the fourth and final test of the missile.

The missile, with a strike range of 6,000 km, will balance out China's military muscle. It will give India long-range strike capability.

Here's what makes it unique:

1) The Agni V is an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5,500 to 5,800 km.

2) Agni V is nuclear capable, with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg of high-explosive warhead.

3) It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

4) It is the fifth variant in the series of medium to long range Agni missiles. Agni I, II, III have already been inducted for military use.

5) The successful induction of Agni V will give India long-range strike capability.

6) The missile has previously been tested in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

7) Once the Agni-V is inducted, India will join the superexclusive club of countries with ICBMs (missiles with a range of over 5,000-5,500km) alongside the US, Russia, China, France and the UK.

8) Agni-V is capable of striking even the northernmost parts of China

It was launched around 11.05 a.m. from a mobile launcher complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), defence sources said.

"We are analysing the test launch after collecting information from radars. The report suggests it is a successful launch," said an official source.

President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the successful launch.

"Congratulations DRDO for successfully test firing Agni-V. It will enhance our strategic and deterrence capabilities," Mukherjee said in a tweet.

The missile is developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

The Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-V has the capability to strike targets anywhere in all of Asia and parts of Africa and Europe.

Agni-V is one of the most advanced missiles, which is capable of striking a target more than 5,000 km. It is about 17 metres long, 2-metre wide and has launch weight of around 50 tonnes.

The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne.

Once the Agni-V is inducted in the Indian military, India will join the super exclusive club of countries with ICBMs alongside the US, Russia, China, France and Britain.

The first test of Agni-V was conducted on April 19, 2012, while the second test was launched on September 15, 2013 and the third was on January 31, 2015.

(Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com)

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