India to test advanced, 3,000 km range, ‘Agni-II Prime’

New Delhi: India will test fire an advanced version of the Agni-II nuclear-capable medium range ballistic missile, dubbed as the 'Agni-II Prime', which will boast of a strike range of around 3,000 km.

"We are planning to test fire an advanced nuclear capable Agni-II Prime missile by next month," defence ministry officials said here.

The new missile will be an advanced version of the existing Agni-II, which has a strike range of 2,000 km.

The 'Agni-II Prime' has been developed by making some changes in the existing Agni-II missile. It will have the same size of boosters as in the existing missile but will extend the range by 1,000 km, they said.

Powered by solid fuel propellants, the 'Prime' will also have a better navigational system and greater accuracy compared to the existing Agni-II missile.

Newer technologies have also been incorporated in the missile to make it lighter and the weapon system has also been provided with greater thrust.

The Agni missile series have been developed under the Integrated Missile Development Programme (IMDP).

The DRDO will also make the first test of the Agni-V ballistic missile by the end of this year, sources said. The Agni-V will be able to strike targets in the range of 5,000 km, a capability that will allow India to join a select league of nations.