India successfully test fires Agni-4 missile

It said the successful test of Agni-4 reaffirms India's policy of having a 'credible minimum deterrence' capability

India on Monday successfully tested its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-4 with a range of 4000 km.

The flight, according to the Defence Ministry, was part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

The SFC is responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile. It is a part of India's Nuclear Command Authority.

“A successful training launch of an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-4, was carried out at approximately 1930 hours on June 6, 2022, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The launch validated all operational parameters as also the reliability of the system,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The successful test reaffirms India's policy of having a 'Credible Minimum Deterrence' Capability.”

The two previous successful launches of the long-range surface to surface ballistic missile happened in January 2017 and December 2018, proving the reliability and efficacy of the weapon system. Over the last ten years, there have been eight such tests.