Representational image. News18
New Delhi: India on Thursday successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Agni-V ballistic missile having a range of over 5,000 km, marking a significant boost to the country’s strategic deterrence, PTI reported.
The test-firing of the missile at night from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast comes days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
Existing variant Agni IV is capable of hitting targets at a range of 4,000 km while Agni-III has a range of 3,000-km, and Agni II can fly up to 2,000-km.
The Agni-V missile has been successfully test-fired, two people familiar with the matter told PTI.
There is, however, no official word on the test-firing of the missile. The test firing of the missile is part of the process for its induction into the tri-services strategic forces command.
The people said the test validated a number of critical aspects of the weapon.
In June, India successfully carried out a night launch of the nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile, in a boost to India’s military capabilities.
India has been steadily enhancing its overall military might in the last couple of years.
It has carried out successful tests of a number of missiles during the period.
In May, the extended-range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was test-fired from a Sukhoi fighter jet.
It was the first launch of the extended-range version of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30MKI aircraft.
An anti-ship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired jointly by the Indian Navy and the Andaman and Nicobar Command in April.
With inputs from PTI
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.