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| Agni V intercontinental ballistic missile and Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher in background at the Republic Day parade 2013 [PHOTO: Robbyrules0510/CC BY-SA 4.0] |
The most formidable strategic missile known for its full range of more than 5,000 km was test fired from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast on Saturday morning.
Saturday’s 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.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed scientists for the successful launch as he said the missile was a prized asset for the country's forces.
"Successful test-firing of Agni V from a canister makes the missile a prized asset for our forces. I salute our scientists for their efforts," he tweeted.
Successful test-firing of Agni V from a canister makes the missile a prized asset for our forces. I salute our scientists for their efforts.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 31, 2015
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile Agni-V is capable of striking a range more than 5000 km. It 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 missile is expected to be inducted into service in a year after a few more canister trials.