India successfully test-fired an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile — Agni-4 — from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters. It was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.

What are Agni missiles?

• The Agni missiles are long-range, nuclear weapons-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed by India.

• India’s Agni missile class forms the core of its nuclear deterrent, alongside other key elements like Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and nuclear-capable fighter aircraft.

• The Agni missile series, from Agni-1 to Agni-5, has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), showcasing India’s advanced missile technology.

Other Ranges of Agni Missiles:

• Agni-1: Short-range ballistic missile with a range of 700-800 km.

• Agni-2: Medium-range missile with a range exceeding 2,000 km.

• Agni-3: Capable of hitting targets over 2,500 km away.

• Agni-4: A longer-range missile with a range of over 3,500 km, designed for mobility and can be fired from a road-mobile launcher.

• Agni-5: The most advanced and longest-range missile in the series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 5,000 km.

• The launch marks another milestone in strengthening India’s defence capabilities. These missiles enhance India’s strategic capability by providing a versatile and reliable platform for nuclear deterrence.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)