Defence: Agni Series of Missiles

Agni 1

  • Agni-I development began in 1999, and the missile had its first successful test launch in 2003. Since its initial deployment, the Agni-I has been tested on a regular basis by India’s Strategic Forces Command.
  • The nuclear-capable road-mobile missile was first deployed by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command in 2007.
  • It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
  • It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a heavy payload but can travel up to 1200 km with lighter payloads, which makes it a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).
  • Range: 700 km- 1200 km
  • Powered by a solid-propellant booster based on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) SLV-3.
  • The Agni-I is designed to be launched from rail-based platforms or road-mobile transporter erector launchers (TELs).

Agni-II Missile

  • The first test-firing of the prototype of the Agni-II missile was carried out in 1999. In 2010, the trial of a nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile was conducted by the Special Strategic Command Force from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) before it was made operational by the Army.
  • Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
  • It is a surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile.
  • Range: 2000 km (can be increased to 3000 km by reducing the payload).
  • It is a two-stage ballistic missile with solid fuel.
  • Payload: 1000 kg.
  • The missile is equipped with an advanced high-accuracy navigation system, guided by a novel state-of-the-art command and control system and propelled by a solid rocket propellant system.

Agni-III Missile

  • The system was first successfully flight-tested in 2007.
  • The Agni-III is a two-stage, solid-propellant missile deployed in rail-mobile mode.
  • It is an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.
  • Surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • Range: 3,500 km
  • Payload: 1500 kg

Agni-IV Missile

  • Agni-IV was first tested in 2011, from Wheeler Island off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha.
  • Agni-4 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile
  • Payload: 1,000 kg
  • Range: Up to 4,000 km.
  • It is a surface-to-surface missile.
  • It is a mobile, two-stage solid-fuel system.
  • Equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, the 5th generation onboard computer, and distributed architecture.

Agni-V Missile

  • Agni-V was first test-fired in April 2012 from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.
  • Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) powered by solid fuel.
  • Nuclear-capable missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine.
  • It’s an advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • It is a three-stage solid-rocket-powered missile capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne nuclear warhead.
  • Range: 5,000 to 5,500 kilometers.
  • It is a fire-and-forget missile that cannot be stopped without an interceptor missile.

Agni Prime

  • The missile’s strike range is between 1,000 km and 2,000 km.
  • Agni-P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant missile with a dual redundant navigation and guidance system.
  • It has been termed as a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles with improved parameters, including maneuvering and accuracy.
  • A new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile.
  • It is a canister surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • Significance: Strengthen India’s credible deterrence capabilities, and improved maneuvering and accuracy, unlike earlier Agni missiles.
This entry was posted in General Studies 3, Science and Technology. Bookmark the permalink.