India successfully test-fires Agni-5 intermediate range ballistic missile from Odisha

Agni-5 ballistic missile

India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-5’ from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. The defence ministry said the test-firing of the missile from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur validated all operational and technical parameters.

The Agni-5 missile can bring almost the entire Asia including the northernmost part of China as well as some regions in Europe under its striking range. The test-firing of the strategic asset came around three-and-half months after the military conflict between India and Pakistan.

"Conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, the launch validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile, marking a significant boost to the country’s strategic deterrence capabilities." the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

India test-fired Agni-5 missile in March last year as well. Last month, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I.

The Prithvi-II missile has a range of around 350 kms and it is capable of carrying a payload of up to 500 kgs. It can carry both conventional as well as nuclear warheads. Both Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles have been an integral part of India's nuclear deterrence.

In July, India also test-fired the newly-developed tactical missile 'Pralay' which is capable of carrying conventional warheads. 'Pralay' is a short-range surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.

India has at present in its armoury of Agni series,Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with 2000 km range, Agni-3and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500km range. The first test of Agni-5 was conducted on April 19,2012.