India test fires nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile

India on Thursday successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Agni III missile from a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) range on Wheelers Island off the Dhamara coast in the Bhadrak district of north Odisha.

The nuclear capable slick and sophisticated missile was test launched at around 9:55 am from launch pad number four of the premier missile testing centre and met all its objectives.

Agni III, which has a capability to hit a target at a distance of more than 3,000 km while carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonne, has been successfully test-fired more than once in the past.

It has already been inducted into the Indian armed forces since 2011. Thursday’s test was a user trial conducted by trained defence personnel from the Strategic Forces Command with the assistance and guidance of DRDO scientists.

The missile had its last successful trial run in December 2013. Sources said Thursday test saw the 17-meter-long missile take off smoothly. With a weight of around 48 tonne, the missile traveled fast and accurately hit its pre-designated target deep inside the Bay of Bengal.