DRDO to test 5,000-km range Agni, hints at SLBM

After a series of successful missile tests in the past few months, the Defence Research and Development Organisation...

After a series of successful missile tests in the past few months, the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO is getting ready to test fire a ballistic missile with a range of over 5,000 km. The next missile in the Agni series, which will have a third stage booster to give it extended range, is in its final stage of development and scientists say that its first test could take place as early as the beginning of next year.

Top missile scientist Avinash Chander, who is the project director of the Agni programme, said that the system could be made ready for induction within the next two years. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the DRDO Technology Day function in the capital.

The DRDO, once again, subtly confirmed its 8220;secretive8221; K-15 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile SLBM project by giving a technology leadership award to top scientist A K Chakrabarty for developing a 8216;sub surface8217; missile system for the Navy.

Indicating that the system has undergone successful trials, the award citation said that the unnamed missile has been accepted by the Navy and is currently undergoing mass production for rapid induction in the forces.

The 700-km K-15 SLBM was test fired earlier this year from a fixed undersea platform off the Visakhapatnam coast. The K-15 is designed to fit on India8217;s indigenous nuclear submarine 8212;the Advanced Technology Vessel 8212; that will be launched for sea trials next year.

DRDO scientists also said that the next test in the Agni series would take place within the next few months and the Agni III missile, with a range of 3,500 km, would be inducted by next year. 8220;The missile is ready for induction. The development trials are over,8221; a top scientist said.

Officials confirmed that another integrated test of the indigenous missile defence system is scheduled for October. While the DRDO has conducted two separate tests for the endo-atmospheric within 15 km and exo-atmospheric range of 50 km missile interception systems, this would be the first integrated test of the system.

PM calls for latest machines

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Addressing DRDO scientists in the capital on Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that in the coming years, the defence organisation should focus on state-of-the-art technologies like hypersonic propulsion, unmanned air, land and underwater vehicles, robotics, stealth, smart materials, micro and nano technologies and war fighter support to keep pace with current trends of warfare. The PM also congratulated the Agni III team for the successful development trials of the missile system.