ICBM Agni-III ready for test-firing

The country’s most ambitious strategic ballistic missile, Agni-III, built to destroy targets 3,500-4,000 km away is technically ready in all respects for a schedule of three flight tests, including one with the end user, DRDO chief M Natarajan said today

The country’s most ambitious strategic ballistic missile, Agni-III, built to destroy targets 3,500-4,000 km away is technically ready in all respects for a schedule of three flight tests, including one with the end user, DRDO chief M Natarajan said today.

At the inauguration of DRDO’s new headquarters this morning by PM Manmohan Singh, Dr Natarajan said that DRDO was only awaiting the government’s go-ahead.

The nuclear-capable missile has been ready for test-firing as far back as in mid-2004, though the government is yet to give its approval. South Block sources said the test-firing of the missile needed to be timed right as it would send out a ‘‘strong geopolitical signal’’.

Last year, scientists at Hyderabad’s Advanced Systems Laboratory, including Agni programme director Ram Narain Agarwal said that DRDO had the wherewithal to go even beyond the Agni-III into the intercontinental ballistic missile space with ranges bordering 6,000 km.

In what may seem contradictory to the very basis of its purpose, DRDO was asked by PM Manmohan Singh today to leverage foreign partnerships for the development of high technology. In the past, a large number of DRDO project delays has been because of either refusing foreign support or accepting it too late.

The PM also advised optimum use of scarce national resources in the defence sector and expressed strong concern over cost overruns and time escalations in defence projects under the DRDO.

Dr Singh said the country would soon embark upon production of cutting-edge technology weapons in sensors, robotics, propulsion systems, stealth and fighting wars through use of remote technology. ‘‘We also plan to go in for precision guided munitions as well as unmanned vehicle technologies in the 11th and 12th plan period,’’ he said as he gave away the awards of excellence to top defence scientists.

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The government also made a reference to the highly classified advanced technology vessel (nuclear submarine) project by giving away the Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance for ‘‘development and production of warship grade steel to meet the requirement of the Indian Navy and the Advance Technology Vessel Project (ATVP)’’.