Now DRDO eyes 5,000 km, Agni-V

New Delhi: With the Agni-III intermediate range ballistic missile recording three successful test flights in a row, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists are now aiming for a larger goal – putting the 5,000 km Agni-V missile on the test-bed.

DRDO scientists have said that Sunday's successful test flight of the Agni-III has put a few issues beyond doubt. These are:

-  that the Agni-III is now a proven missile as this fourth flight test, conducted by the Indian Army,  has established its "repeatability";

- that its induction with the Indian Army is now very much on the cards;

- and that it establishes the maturity of the country's nuclear deterrence programme and its second-strike capability.

 ''This launch is a stepping stone to the DRDO realising its next intermediate range ballistic missile, the Agni-V,'' Dr VK Saraswat, director general, DRDO and scientific adviser to the defence minister, said.