India Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Agni V Missile Off Odisha Coast

Bhubaneswar: India on Thursday successfully carried out night trials of the Agni-V ballistic missile from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.

Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the nuclear capable missile was test-fired from launch pad IV of the defence facility in the island off Dhamra coast. The Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) has a range of over 5500 km, according to a DRDO release.

The test was carried out to validate new technologies and equipment of the missile which is lighter than earlier version. The trial has proved the capability to enhance the range of the Agni V missile, the Defence sources said.

Ahead of the missile test, the authorities had issued a notification declaring the area in the Bay of Bengal as a no-fly zone.

Agni V is India’s long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of hitting a target 5,000 km away with pinpoint accuracy. This range puts almost the entire China within the missile’s range. Though an ICBM requires a missile with a range of at least 5,500 km, India’s closest contender for an ICBM is the Agni V which can reach countries on other continents, including parts of Africa and Europe, according to a report of the Indian Express.