Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India on Friday successfully test-fired nuclear weapons-capable 3,000-km-range Agni-3 ballistic missile from Chandipur off Odisha coast.The surface-to-surface missile was launched from a mobile launcher as part of a regular training exercise. “The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC),” a defence ministry statement said.The missile was picked up randomly from the production lot and test-fired, officials said, adding that the SFC is tasked with handling strategic weapons systems. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters, they said.After the command, the two-stage solid-propelled missile took off on a designated flight path and homed onto the pre-designated target area in the Bay of Bengal with accuracy.The Agni-3 missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. It can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes, with an estimated yield of 200–300 kilotons. It is a surface-to-surface missile capable of being deployed from rail and road mobile launchers, enhancing survivability and operational flexibility. It entered service with the Strategic Forces Command in 2011, serving alongside the Agni-II as a nuclear delivery system.The missile’s range allows India to maintain a robust, credible minimum deterrent against regional adversaries. Its capability covers deep-strike requirements, covering the entire territory of Pakistan and extending deep into Chinese territory.Besides three variants of Agni I, II and III depending upon their range, India has Prithvi-II, Dhanush (ship-launched) and Sagarika/K-15 (SLBM) in its missile arsenal that are operational. Prahaar, Prithvi III, Agni-P, Agni-IV, Agni-V, K-4(SLBM) and K-5 (SLBM) missiles are under various stages of testing and development.
