India flight-tests new generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime

India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC), along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Wednesday conducted a successful flight-test of Agni-Prime, a new generation ballistic missile.

The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast at around 1900 hrs on 3 April. 

Data captured by various sensors deployed at various locations confirmed that the test met all the trial objectives, validating the reliability of the missile.

The Agni-Prime test follows the successful trial of the 5,000-km range Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile with multiple warheads on 11 March.

Agni-Prime, a two-stage missile, comes with a solid propellant fuel,  composite rocket motor casings and advanced navigation and guidance systems.

The smallest and lightest among all Agni series missiles, Agni-Prime is also a canister-launched missile system like Agni-V, which gives the Strategic Forced Command operational flexibility and the ability to deploy swiftly.

Agni-Prime, which will be inducted into the SFC’s arsenal after a few more tests, will gradually replace the Agni-I (700-km) missiles from SFC’s arsenal.

The Agni series of missiles along with the Prithvi short range ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft form the mainstay of India’s nuclear weapons delivery system.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, SFC and the armed forces for the successful test.