India test fires Agni-II missile
On 9th November 2014, India test fired nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile. This successful test was conducted from Wheeler Island, Odisha. The test was a part of training exercise to the Army with logistic support provided by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Key facts of Agni-II missile
- Agni-II missile is part of India’s strategic forces arsenal for nuclear deterrence with a range of over 2000 km and can carry a payload of 1000kg.
- It is a two stage surface-to-surface missile, equipped with an advanced high accuracy navigation system and guided by a novel state-of-the-art command and control system.
- It is powered by a solid rocket propellant system and already been inducted into the army.
- Agni-II weighs 17 tonnes and the range of the missile can be increased to 3000 km by reducing the payload.
- It can be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers and it takes only 15 minutes for the missile to be readied for firing.
- The Agni-II missile is developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad.
Month: Current Affairs - November, 2014