India To Test Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of reaching entire Chinese mainland between April 15 and 20

The missile, capable of covering 5,000 km, can carry nuclear warhead

Amid the sylvan surroundings of coconut groves, shrubs, lawns and cottages on the tiny Wheeler Island off Odisha coast, hectic preparations are on for the launch of Agni-V missile any day between April 15 and 20. The three stages have been integrated horizontally. It will then be made vertical and electrical connections given. If the current schedule holds good, the missile will soar into the sky from a road-mobile launcher during the launch window of April 15 to 20. 

Capable of covering 5,000 km, Agni-V is India's longest-range missile which can carry a nuclear warhead. If the test-flight is successful, it will catapult India into a select band of countries possessing the technology for Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed and developed it.

Agni-V is 17 metres tall and weighs 50 tonnes. Its diameter is two metres. All its three stages are powered by solid propellants. It can carry a nuclear warhead weighing 1.1 tonne and a dummy payload. The entire flight will last more than 1,000 seconds.

“Game-changer”

 

Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO, described Agni-V's technology as a “game-changer” for strategic options. Except the U.S., Russia, France and China, no other country had designed and developed this range of systems, he said.