India successfully test-fires Agni-5 nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Days after the 20th anniversary of Pokhran - II nuclear tests, India today successfully test-fired Agni-5 from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island in Balasore district of Odisha.

The ballistic missile was tested from launch pad number 4 at around 9.50 am. This was for the sixth time the missile was tested successfully. It was last tested on January 18 this year.

The nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile was fired with a strike range of 5,000 km that can reach almost all parts of China.

The missile will eventually be inducted into the tri-service, Strategic Forces Command, which manages India’s nuclear arsenal. With the Agni-5, India will become part of a small group of countries having ICBMs range of 5,000-5,500 km) — only the US, China, Russia and France are known to have ICBMs.

The Agni-5 is the most advanced missile in the Agni series, because of its navigation and guidance, warhead and engine. The missile has been made in a manner that after reaching the peak of its trajectory it will head down to the earth’s surface, towards the target, with increased speed due to the gravitational pull.