India Tests Mobile Canister Version of Agni Nuclear-capable Ballistic Missile

India test-fired its nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni-5', which can strike targets over 5,000 km and can carry a nuclear warhead of over one tonne, from a launch centre in the country’s east coast.

Today’s launch from a mobile canister means the missile is a step closer to deployment with the Indian Army’s missile forces command. Indian media reported that the missile could strike targets “deep inside China” if launched from the line of control, the unofficial border between the two countries.

The three-stage, solid-propellant missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8.06 hours," launch project chief M V K V Prasad was quoted by Indian news agencies as saying.

"The Inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), witnessed a flawless 'auto launch' and detailed results will be known after all data retrieved from different radars and network systems", Prasad told agencies.

The launch was the third developmental trial of the long-range missile. The first test was conducted on 19 April, 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.

The Agni-5 missile is about 17 meters long, 2 metres wide and has a launch weight of around 50 tonnes. The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne.

The one ‘Agni-5', is reported to have some new technologies in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine compared to its older versions.