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Published on Dec 26, 2019
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All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Successful Trial of Missile Agni-II

Successful Trial of Missile Agni-II

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TOPIC: General Studies 3
  • Developments in Science & Technology

In news: India successfully conducted first night trial of its indigenously developed medium-range nuclear-capable versatile surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile Agni-II with a strike range of 2,000 km, from a test range in its eastern state of Odisha

Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), has already been inducted into the armed forces. The two-stage ballistic missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg over a distance of 2,000 km.

  • This was the first time that the sophisticated missile was test-fired at night
  • The trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully tested the country’s longest-range indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile Agni-V in January and short-range nuclear-capable ballistic Agni-I
  • The entire trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and two naval ships located near the impact point in the down-range area of Bay of Bengal
  • The two stage missile equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system, was guided by a novel state-of-the-art command and control system and propelled by solid rocket propellant system.

‘Agni-11’ is part of the Agni series of missiles which includes Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV and Agni-V both having long range capabilities.

The Agni-I, on the other hand, has an operational range of 700-900 kilometers and can carry a 1,000-kilogram conventional or nuclear payload. The Agni-I, fitted with an accurate inertial navigation system, was last successfully test fired on November 22, 2017. Named for the Vedic god of fire, Agni-I is the father of the Agni family of non-nuclear and nuclear-capable missiles.