India successfully test fires Agni-IV

Indian today conducted the user trial of 4000 km long range nuclear capable Agni- IV missile from the Wheeler Island defence base, now renamed Abdul Kalam island, close to the Dhamra coast in the Bay of Bengal.

Defence sources said, the test was carried out at about 9.45 am from a road mobile launcher positioned at launching complex-IV of APJ Abdul Kalam Island test facility.

The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile is a two-stage weapon system, which is 20 metre-long and weighs 17 tonne.

“The sophisticated surface-to-surface missile is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability”, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) officials said. Advanced ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation system and Micro Inertial Navigation System in redundant mode guided the missile to reach its pre-designated target area.

The first two Agni-IV developmental launches were conducted from the same location in November 2011 and September 2012.

The missile’s heat shield can withstand temperatures of around 4,000°C, allowing interior avionics to function normally at a temperature less than 50°C.

Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as Agni II Prime. The missile also possesses a submarine-launch capability.

This was the fifth trial of Agni-IV missile.

India and China, each with a population of more than one billion, have prickly relations and a legacy of mistrust that stems from a brief but bloody border war in 1962.