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September 12, 2013

India's nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-V to be test-fired on Sunday

India's most capable weapon, the Agni-V nuclear-capable ballistic missile, is all set to be tested from the Bay of Bengal on September 15. The 5,500-km range missile, capable of striking targets anywhere in China when operational, is being tested for the second time after its debut launch in April last year.

Top sources said, "Scientists on the programme have spent most of the last 16 months studying the telemetry and performance data of the first test and fine-tuning all systems, including the navigation system and on board systems."

The indigenous systems that will be further tested and monitored closely in Sunday's test include all-composite rocket motor, fifth generation distributed on-board computer architecture, ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS), the completely new redundant micro navigation system and the crucial re-entry shield, built to withstand temperatures in excess of 4,000 degrees celsius. A more capable cannisterised version of the Agni-V is likely to be tested in December this year.

In July, DRDO chief Dr Avinash Chander, formerly director on the Agni programme, told Headlines Today, "We'll induct the Agni IV and V inducted in the next two years. It's the first time we will be inducting strategic missiles with such long ranges together. Agni III, IV and V are going to be the thrust areas. They give us the reach which we need, and are our highest priority now. Within two years we have to make sure that it happens."

While the Agni-V's second test was expected in the September-October period, it comes shortly after a season of provocations along the India-China border, and is likely to be interpreted as a show of strength.

 indiatoday

1 comment:

  1. drdo shud deploy Agni5 Land & SLBM missiles with 3/5 MIRV's by 2015 to counter china.
    INS Nuclear subs must deploy agni5+,Scorpene subs must be deployed with supersonic Brahmos with 500kms range so as to counter china & Pakistan in the IOR.

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