Agni-5 ballistic missile successfully launched: Nuclear capable, surface-to-surface ICBM has strike range of over 5,000 kms

Balasore (Odisha): India successfully test-fired its nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-5 — the most advanced missile in the Agni series with a strike range of over 5,000 kilometres — from a test range off the Odisha coast. The user associate test-flight of the missile has further boosted indigenous missile capabilities and deterrence strength of the country. All radars, tracking systems and range stations monitored the flight performance, defence sources said. [caption id=“attachment_4308379” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The indigenously developed Agni-5 missile was launched on Thursday. Image courtesy: Twitter/@ppchaudharyMoS[/caption] Describing the trial as “fully successful”, the sources said, the sophisticated missile travelled for 19 minutes and covered 4,900 km. The sleek missile was test-fired from a canister launcher, mounted on a mobile platform, at about 9.54 am from No 4 launchpad of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Abdul Kalam Island, earlier known as Wheeler Island, they said. “After four successful developmental trials, this was the first user associate test of Agni-5 missile,” the sources added. Agni-5 is most advanced missile in the Agni series with new technologies incorporated in it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine. It has a range of over 5,000 kilometres. “The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) had ensured the missile reached the target point within few metres of accuracy. The high speed on board computer and fault tolerant software along with robust and reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly,” said an official of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The missile is so programmed that after reaching the peak of its trajectory it will turn towards Earth to continue its journey towards the intended target with an increased speed due to the attraction of the earth’s gravitational pull, he said. Its path is precisely directed by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation system, the official added. The first two successful flights of Agni-5 in 2012 and 2013 were in open configuration. The third, fourth and Thursday’s launch from a canister, integrated with a mobile sophisticated launcher, were in its deliverable configuration that enables launch of the missile with a very short preparation time as compared to an open configuration. It also has advantages of higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced mobility. India has at present in its armoury of Agni series: Agni-1 with 700 kilometres range, Agni-2 with 2,000 kilometres range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 kilometres to more than 3,500 kilometres range. The first test of Agni-5 was conducted on 19 April, 2012, the second on 15 September, 2013, the third on 31 January, 2015, and fourth trial on 26 December, 2016 from the same base.