India successfully launches Agni-I ballistic missile

India today successfully launched Agni-I, a 700 km range ballistic missile, from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha. The launch took place at 08.15 am, according to an official communication from Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile reached its target in the Bay of Bengal following its prescribed trajectory.

Similar launches were conducted from the same base in July 2012 and December 2011.

Agni-I is a single stage, solid fuel surface-to-surface missile, 14.8 meters long, 1.3 meters in diameter and has a launch weight of 12,000 kg. It can carry a payload of 1,000 kg, including nuclear warheads.

The test flight, conducted with a high degree of accuracy, was tracked by radars along the coast and naval ship located down range, which recorded the terminal event.

The missile was developed after the Kargil conflict following the defence services' need for a version of the type. The missile has already been inducted into the Army.

The mission was witnessed by top DRDO scientists and army officials.