Successful Test-Firing of Agni-II Missile

India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with a strike range of upto 3,000 km from a launch pad from Dhamra’s Wheeler Island, off the Orissa Coast on May 19, 2009.The test of the indigenously built IRBM was carried out from a mobile launcher at about from launch pad-4 of Integrated Test Range at Wheelers Island near Dhamra, about 80 km from Balasore.

The indigenously-built weapon is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile and has a launch weight of 17 tonnes and length of 20 metres. The missile can carry a payload of one tonne over a distance up to 3,000 km. The missile was already inducted into the services and the strategic command network was fully operational.

Part of the Training Exercise
In fact, the test-firing of the Agni-II was a user trial conducted by the army and scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were present to provide the necessary logistical support. The trial of the missile was successful and the scientists would conduct a detailed analysis.

The complete operations, including the pre-launch exercise and the launch from a sophisticated computer, were carried out by an Army team. A new technology — a state-of-the-art high accuracy navigation system — was for the first time used in Agni-II.

Advantage India
India is now part of a select group of countries that has advanced nuclear missile capabilities. This is something we should be proud of, not only because it proves that our scientists are more than capable of handling high technology but also because India faces serious security threats from certain quarters in its neighbourhood.

The successful test-firing of the Agni-II missile brings India a step closer to having an intermediate range nuclear capable ballistic missile ready for production and induction. The missile’s test flight achieved the objectives intended. The Agni-II is in the final stages of testing and may be inducted into the armed forces by 2012.

Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad. Private industry participated in a big way in its production. The missile is part of the Agni series which includes Agni-I of 700 km range and Agni-III (3,500 km). Agni-I was already inducted and Agni-III is in the process of induction.

Credible Deterrence Against Threats
The indigenous Agni missile programme, which was initiated way back in the 1980s, has considerably helped India strengthen its missile defence systems.Since there is instability in Pakistan and the accompanying threat of that country’s nuclear weapons falling into the Taliban hands, satellite imagery has shown that China has put India’s entire northern region under threat by reorganising its missile facilities. China may also be deploying short range missiles in Tibet and helping Pakistan modernise its missiles.

Undoubtedly, the Agni missiles provide credible deterrence against these threats. They can strike targets deep inside China and Pakistan. It hardly needs to be said that India is committed to peace in the region and its missile programme is strictly defensive in nature. However, despite our ‘No-First-Use’ policy, a minimum credible nuclear deterrence is necessary along with nuclear counter-strike capabilities. Agni-II enhances the latter manifolds.