Agni-IV missile test ushers in new generation of missile technology
15 Nov 2011
Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: India's Tuesday test of a new generation missile, the Agni-IV, displayed a very high level of accuracy. The renamed Agni-IV, an advanced model of the older Agni-II, and earlier dubbed as the Agni-II Plus or Prime, is a strategic, nuclear-capable missile with a design range of 3,500-km.
However, in its debut test the Agni-IV was confined to a range of 3,000 km only. The missile was launched from a road mobile system at 9.00 am from Wheelers' Island in the Bhadrak district of Odisha on India's east coast. This is India's permanent, missile testing facility.
The missile was tested in the presence of senior defence officials, defence ministry officials said and the test was successful, they added.
According to DRDO chief, Dr VK Saraswat it was a 'copybook' launch, which met all mission objectives. He also said the launch demonstrated the complete maturity of India in surface-to-surface missile technology.
It also confirmed the capability of the country in strategic defence, he added.
According to Aviansh Chander, chief controller, DRDO (missiles and strategic systems) the launch was a breakthrough in the missile capability of India.