India test-fired Nuclear-Capable Missile Agni-II

India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable 'Agni-II' missile with a strike range of upto 3,000 kms from a launch pad off Orissa's coast today. The test of the indigenously built Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile missile was carried out from a mobile launcher at 10:06 AM from launch pad-4 of Integrated Test Range at Wheelers Island near Dhamra, about 80 kms from Orissa. It 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 Agni II missile, which is a part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, is 20 metres long. Weighing 16 tonnes, the missile can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg and its range can also be increased to 3,000 km by reducing the pay load. "It can be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers. It takes only 15 minutes for the missile to be readied for firing," the sources said, adding that the Agni II-version of the Agni series of missiles was first test-fired in 1999 from the same location.