India’s indigenously developed intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘ Agni-5’ was successfully test-launched from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.
- The Agni V is an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5,500 to 5,800 km.
- Agni V is nuclear capable, with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg of high-explosive warhead.
- It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
- It is the fifth variant in the series of medium to long range Agni missiles. Agni I, II, III have already been inducted for military use.
- The successful induction of Agni V will give India long-range strike capability.
- The missile has previously been tested in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
- Once the Agni-V is inducted, India will join the super exclusive club of countries with ICBMs (missiles with a range of over 5,000-5,500km) alongside the US, Russia, China, France and the UK.
- Agni-V is capable of striking even the northernmost parts of China.
