Agni-I test-fired successfully

India on Thursday successfully test-fired the nuclear capable Agni-I strategic ballistic missile,which has a strike range of 700 km,as part of the Armys user trial from the test range at Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.

The indigenously developed surface-to-surface,single-stage missile,powered by solid propellants,was test-fired from a mobile launcher in the morning, sources said. Describing the trial as successful,a senior official said it met the mission objectives.

Agni-I has a specialised navigation system that ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy,said a DRDO official.

The trajectory of the missile was tracked by sophisticated radars and electro-optic telemetry stations located along the sea coast and ships positioned near the impact point in the downrange area.

Weighing 12 tonnes,the 15-metre-long Agni-I,which can carry payloads up to 1000 kg,has already been inducted into the Army.