India on September 15, 2013 successfully test-fired its inter-continental surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-V, with a strike range of 5,000 km and capability of delivering a nuclear warhead with high precision, from a base off Odisha coast.The missile had its maiden launch last year. “A symbol of DRDO’s technological excellence and India’s strength, Agni-V missile took off majestically from the launch complex of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler’s Island,” a DRDO official said.Describing the second trial of Agni-V, developed by the Defence Reasearch and Development Organisation, as fully successful, the official said the missile flew on a predefined path and reached its destination with expected precision.The indigenously developed missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne, is capable of striking its target more than 5,000 km away. It is about 17 metre long with a launch weight of about 50 tonnes.The missile, powered by three-stage solid rocket motors, had a flawless launch in auto mode and followed its entire trajectory in textbook manner, dropping three motors at predefined stages into the ocean, the release said. Ships located in mid-range and at target point tracked the vehicle and witnessed the final event.AGNI TAKES INDIA INTO BIG LEAGUE· Agni-V is India’s first long range missile capable of reaching deep into China and as far as Europe· Developed by the DRDO, the Agni-V weighs 50-tonnes and is 17–metres high· The missile is designed to deliver nuclear warheads of 1000 kg at a range of 5000 km· Only China, France, Russia, the United States and Britain have long-range missiles like Agni-V· It was first tested in April 2012.MORE TO GO· The DRDO is expected to conduct at least three more tests before declaring the ballistic missile operational and ready for being inducted into the military. That may take two to three years.· Agni-V is part of Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO which includes Agni-1 with a 700 km range, Agni—II with 2,000 km, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range and Agni-IV with 4,000 km range
