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Agni-II missile successfully test-fired

Last Updated 17 May 2010, 19:10 IST
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According to sources in the Bhadrak district administration, the indigenously built surface-to-surface ballistic missile was test-fired from the launch pad number four of the premier missile testing centre with the help of a mobile launcher.

Senior DRDO scientists as well as officials from the Defence Ministry were present during the test at the Wheelers Island.

Target

The Agni II missile has the capability to hit a target at a distance of more than 2,000 km, carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads weighing up to one tonne. 

Though the missile had already been test-fired five times earlier, the Monday’s test launch had assumed significance as the missile’s last two test flights—in May and November last year—had turned out to be unsuccessful.

Fifth test launch

The fifth test launch of the prestigious missile was conducted from Wheelers Island at night.

That was for the first time in the history of the country’s missile development programme that an attempt  to test-fire a missile after sunset was made. The DRDO has not yet announced when it will have another post-sunset missile test.

However, with the test-firing of the Agni II on Monday, the DRDO has managed to successfully conduct test launching of three important missiles of the Agni series within a span of just three months, which is being hailed as a milestone in the Defence Research and Development Organisation history.

The agency had already successful test-fired Agni I and Agni III earlier this year.

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(Published 17 May 2010, 04:38 IST)

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