By IRNA,
New Delhi : India to test fire 5,000 km range nuclear-capable Surface-to-Surface Agni missile within a year, said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“This ballistic missile will enable the defence forces to bring all the possible targets in the neighbourhood within its striking radius”, said DRDO Chief, V K Saraswati, addressing a press conference in New Delhi. He said, the test-firing of the Agni-V missile will also help India to join the elite club on nations with the capability to produce Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles.
Saraswat said, it is the full deterrence that the country needs. He said the missile would be capable of being launched from canisters, which will help it to be launched from multiple platforms. With certain modifications, canister launchers enable ballistic missiles to be fired from ships and other moving platforms.
Comparing the Agni-III with Chinese 2,500 km range DF-21 and DF-25, Agni programme Director Avinash Chander said in terms of accuracy and technology-wise, the indigenous missiles were better than the ones in the neighbourhood.
India’s current longest-range nuclear-capable missile Agni-III can travel a maximum of 3,500 kilometers and is ready for use by the military.