India successfully test fires nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile

India on February 6, 2018 successfully test-fired nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile as part of a user trial from a test range off the Odisha coast. The missile was launched as part of a regular training exercise by the Indian armed forces.

The trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army from Launch Pad 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore, Odisha.

It was 18th version of Agni-I missile test and the trial reconfirms Indian Army’s readiness to fire it at a short notice.

The last trial of Agni-I ballistic missile was successfully conducted on November 22, 2016.

About Agni-I ballistic missile
• Agni-I missile was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, the premier missile development laboratory of DRDO in collaboration with Defence Research Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad.

• It is a 700 km long range missile and was inducted into service in the year 2004. The missile is 15-metre-long and weighs 12 tonnes.

• This surface-to-surface and single-stage missile is powered by solid propellants and is equipped with sophisticated navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision.

• It is designed to carry a payload of more than one tonne. Its strike range can be extended by reducing the payload.

• The missile is a surface-to-surface and single-stage missile powered by solid propellants and capable of hitting a target 700 kilometers away.