India readies to test China-specific Agni-III

Balasore: India's defence establishment are poised to test a nuclear capable, China-specific, Agni-III missile any time between 6-8 February. They would be keeping their fingers crossed, however, as a string of recent firings, of the intermediate range Agni-II missile have turned up disappointing results.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had ascribed these failures to production-related problems rather than technology-related issues.

As for the upcoming Agni-III test, it will be conducted from the Inner Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast. According to sources, the 3,500 km surface-to-surface missile would be test-fired in full operational configuration.

The Agni-III has had a fairly successful test history with the first test in 2006 being dubbed only a 'partial success' but two subsequent ones, in 2007 and 2008, meeting required parameters.

Agni-III is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads and being solid-fuelled can be deployed swiftly.

DRDO sources mentioned that the ballistic missile still requires a couple of additional tests before they can be cleared for Limited Series Production (LSP) trials by the armed forces. Full operational deployment, however, make take another two years.

The upcoming test also holds significance for a successful performance will also allow Indian defence scientists to validate aspects of the 5,500 km Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Agni-V's design, which is currently under development.

The Agni-V will incorporate a third composite stage in the two-stage Agni-III, and will also field some advanced technologies such as ring laser gyroscope and accelerator for navigation and guidance.