India successfully test fires the Agni Prime- Its Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile

India, on Friday, successfully test-fired the Agni Prime - Its new-generation ballistic missile that has a strike range between 1,000 km and 2,000 km. It was test fired off the coast of Odisha at around 09:45 am. During the test flight, the missile travelled the maximum range and all test objectives were successfully met. With this third consecutive successful flight test of the Agni Prime missile, the accuracy and reliability of the system have been established.

The first test of this ballistic missile was in June last year (2021) with the second test in December after six months after the first test. It was observed that in both tests the missile followed textbook trajectory and met all mission objectives with a high level of accuracy. The performance was verified by the data collected from tracking systems, including radar, telemetry, and electro-optical systems. All these systems were deployed at various places along the flight path, including two down-range ships at the terminal points, and covered the entire trajectory.

"Eight years ago India was the world's biggest defence importer... but the 'new India' has shown intent and resolve to 'Make in India' the success story of our defence sector," the Prime Minister had said while inaugurating DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar in poll-bound Gujarat.

In 2018, it was announced that India had successfully tested its nuclear-capable Agni – IV missile, which has a range of 4000 km, for the seventh time as part of an Army user trial. India also tested its first intercontinental, the Agni 5 in October 2021. The missile can reach targets up to 5,000 kilometres away.

The Agni Prime or Agni P is a nuclear-eligible new-generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles. The missile is a two-stage canister with a maximum range of 2,000 km. Notably, the weight of the Missile is 50 per cent less than the Agni 3 missile, and also has new guidance and propulsion systems. Additionally, since it is canisterised, it can be launched from rail or road, stored for longer periods, and can be transported as per operational requirements.

The successful test of the 'Agni Prime' underlines India's endeavour for its defence sector to be self-reliant. Prime minister Narendra Modi this week hailed steps taken towards a truly Aatmanirbhar Bharat.