JOIN USIndia on Monday successfully test-fired one of its most important and advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missiles Agni IV which is capable of hitting a target at a distance of 4,000 km carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads.
The indigenously developed sophisticated missile was test-launched at 10.52 in the morning from a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) run facility located at Wheelers Island off the coast of Dhamara in Bhadrak district in north Odisha.
The missile was fired from a road mobile launcher parked in launch pad number four of the interim test range (ITR), sources in the Bhadrak district administration said.
A number of senior DRDO scientists and officials, including those from the Defence Ministry as well as government of Odisha, were present during the test launch of the missile.
Soon after the 20-metre-long, two-stage missile weighing about 17 tonnes, took off from the ITR, its entire path was monitored by radars and electro-optical systems installed at different places on the coastline of Odisha as well as one at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Island till it landed at the pre-fixed target point at the Indian Ocean.
The final event was also witnessed by two ships of the Indian Navy which were close by the target point. The missile’s flight lasted for about 20 minutes.
Agni IV is yet to be inducted into the Indian armed forces. The induction process is expected to get momentum now with the important missile’s third consecutive successful test launch on Monday.