NEW DELHI, Aug 6: India on Thursday successfully test-fired the medium-range Agni-4 ballistic missile from the integrated test range in Odisha’s Chandipur. According to the Ministry of Defence, the test-firing of the missile was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command.
“Medium Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-4’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 6,” the defence ministry said.
The ministry said the Agni-4 missile test successfully validated all operational and technical parameters. “The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. The test was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” it said.
Agni-4 is a two-stage, surface-to-surface missile propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor. It is capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 4,000 kilometres.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) had also successfully carried out the flight-test of its indigenous Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The trial took place off the coast of Odisha in June. According to the Ministry of Defence, the missile completed the test successfully and met all the planned objectives. Information collected through various tracking systems confirmed that the missile performed as expected during the flight.
The LRLACM has been developed within the country, with its key systems and components designed by different DRDO laboratories along with support from Indian industry partners. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru is leading the project.
Senior officials from the DRDO, as well as representatives of the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, were present to witness the launch. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the scientists of DRDO and the industry partners for the successful test. He praised their efforts in strengthening India’s indigenous defence technology and missile development programme.
(Manas Dasgupta)
