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Balasore (Orissa), May 17 (PTI) Nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile, with a strike range of 2000 kms, was today successfully test-fired during a user trial by the strategic forces from the Wheelers Island off the Orissa coast. The success came after two launches of the surface-to- surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) failed to meet mission objectives last year. "The trial of the missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) was successful and met all parameters and mission objectives," ITR Director S P Dash said. The 20-metre-long Agni-II, which can carry a 1,000 kg payload, was launched at around 0915 hours from a rail mobile system in Launch Complex-4 of ITR. The 17-tonne missile, a two-stage, solid fuel weapon system, has already been inducted into the services. Shortly after the launch, Defence Minister A K Antony congratulated the DRDO and its scientists for the successful trial of the nuclear-capable missile. Antony also spoke to DRDO chief V K Saraswat over phone, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said here. Saraswat and Agni Programme Director Avinash Chander were present at the Wheelers Island during the test-firing. The launch was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) with logistic support from laboratories and personnel of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). "With this launch, the strategic Forces have carried out launch of all three versions of the Agni within three months demonstrating their capability," the spokesperson said. While 700 km range Agni-I has already been inducted into the armed forces, Agni-III, having a range of 3500 km, is still in the process of induction. The trajectory of the missile was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and naval ships stationed near the impact point in the Bay of Bengal, defence sources said, adding that the data generated during the test-firing was being analysed. The launch followed two earlier user trials on May 19, 2009 and the night of November 23, 2009 which could not meet all mission parameters. DRDO''s Chief Controller W Selvamurthy said the two failures last year were not due to any design defect but because of a malfunctioning part. On the development of 5000 km Agni-V, he said the scientists were working on it. "We are hopeful that within a year we should be able to launch the missile," he said, noting that the new missile will have one additional stage as compared to Agni-III. (More) PTI CORR SKN PC RBT NCB.
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