Agni Prime during its test-firing from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island. (Photo by special arrangement.)
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested Agni Prime, the new-generation Agni intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, on Wednesday.
The defence ministry informed that all objectives were successfully demonstrated during the flight-testing.
This was the first pre-induction night launch conducted by the users after three successful developmental trials of the missile, validating the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Range instrumentation, like radar, telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems were deployed at different locations, including two down-range ships, at the terminal point to capture flight data covering the entire trajectory of the vehicle.
Senior officials from DRDO and Strategic Forces Command witnessed the successful flight-test, which has paved the way for induction of the system into the armed forces.
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has congratulated DRDO and the armed forces for the success as well as the copy-book performance of the new-generation Agni Prime ballistic missile. Dr Samir V Kamat, DRDO chairman and R&D secretary at the defence department, appreciated the efforts put in by the teams of DRDO Laboratories and the users involved in the test launch.
The Agni missiles are operated by the Strategic Forces Command, which is a triservice command comprising the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force. It is headed by a two-star general and its equivalent and reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.
