India successfully test fires Agni-II Missile

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A S L Narasimha Rao

18 May, 2010

The successful launch of Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) is another feather in the cap of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

THE SUCCESSFUL launch of Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) is another feather in the cap of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Indian scientific community has once again proved its mettle by producing credible IRBM deterrent.

Agni-II, a surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India was successfully flight-tested from Orissa coast on Monday. This missile can carry nuclear weapons up to 2000km, the advanced navigation system enabled in this missile can make it reach the target very accurately and moreover, the missile has manoeuvring capability to deceive any anti-ballistic weapon system.

After two successive setbacks in the last one year, the missile was test-fired for the third time on Monday by the Strategic Forces Command. The missile was tested for full range, its re-entry vehicle made of carbon-carbon composites withstood very high temperatures of up to 3,0000 C as it descended with a speed of 3.5 km/second after reaching a height of 230 km. In the previous missions, the missile failed to meet objectives and witnessed problems during the course of the flight.

The two-stage solid-propellant Agni-II is one of the vital weapon systems of the country's nuclear deterrence doctrine and it is inducted into the armed forces. This missile is 21 metres tall and is capable of carrying a payload of one tonne.

Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Director-General of DRDO V.K. Saraswat reviewed the total test operations along with senior DRDO officials and top brass from the Strategic Forces Command. The programme director of Agni-II, Avinash Chander of Advanced Systems Laboratory monitored the overall pre-launch operations.