Thursday 19 April 2012

Agni V! India’s First Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test-fired successfully

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Odisha:  Agni V, India’s first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), has been successfully test-fired today at 8.07 am from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. The test launch which was actually scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to bad weather. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief VK Saraswat moments after the launch said, “The mission was successful. The missile hit the target in the Indian Ocean in a perfect way.”



Agni V, an indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile has a strike range of 5,000 kilometres. The 17 metres long, two metres wide and 50 tonnes heavy, sophisticated missile has the capacity to carry 1000 kilograms of nuclear weapons and it travels faster than a bullet.

Along with India, till date only six nations, namely the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, China and France possess this technology. Agni-V can be configured to launch small satellites and can be used to even shoot down enemy satellites in orbits. Once fired, it cannot be stopped. It can, however, be launched only after a decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Tipped to be a "game changer" by experts, Agni V will extend India's reach all over Asia, parts of Africa and parts of Europe. The Agni series of missiles, including Agni V, is crucial for India's defence vis-a-vis China since Beijing has upped the ante in recent times by deploying missiles in Tibet Autonomous Region bordering India. 

After the test the missile was declared successful, Defence Minister AK Antony called the DRDO chief to congratulate him. "The nation stands tall today. We have joined the elite club of nations (who possess the ICBM capability)”. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too called Mr Saraswat to congratulate him over the feat. He also praised DRDO scientists for their "tireless efforts". "The nation stands together in honouring the scientific community who have done the country proud," he conveyed via twitter.

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