Agni-II successfully test fired

Agni-II, a two-stage solid motor missile, carries a one-tonne payload. “The missile was test-fired from Wheeler’s island at one minute past 10 this morning. The missile was tested after a gap of 18 months. Agni-I had been test-fired on April 11, 1999. The Agni-I had been test-fired three times from the interim test range at Chandipur-on-Sea,” sources added.

The missile is, however, still far from induction. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis and Vice-Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi accompanied Defence Minister George Fernandes and saw the test firing of the missile.

The focus of the test was to see the accuracy at increased range. “The re-entry control and guidance technology have already been tested but accuracy at increased range was to be tested,” added an official.

Prof R.N. Aggarwal, the programme director, was quoted as saying that the flight test results have indicated that mission objectives were met satisfactorily.

The successful tests also are a step in the direction of establishing credible nuclear deterrence. The solid fuel missile can be launched at less than one hour’s notice from a mobile platform. Fernandes too highlighted the role and relevance of the Agni missile in meeting India’s national security interests.

“Missiles are not nation-centric. We are not testing the missiles keeping either Pakistan’s deployed Shaheen and Ghauri in mind nor China’s threat. These are a part of India’s declared security interests,” MoD officials said.

The Government, the spokesman said, had already issued notices warning all concerned about the testing and had also informed the United States, United Nations Security Council and Pakistan about the test firing of Agni-II.

He said Russia, Germany, Japan and the UK were among other countries to have been given prior intimation about the test firing. The government had also issued Notam, a notification to aviators and mariners in accordance with the prevailing international practices in this regard, he added.

Asked whether any country had advised India not to go ahead with the test firing, the spokesman said he did not have any further details.