BALASORE: India failed in its much-hyped `Agni pariksha’ on Monday. Though the attempt to launch a missile for the first time during night was a feather in its cap, the test reportedly failed to achieve the pre-coordinated mission parameters.
The Army test-fired the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range
Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-II from the integrated test range (ITR) off the Orissa coast at about 7.50 pm. Defence sources said the nuclear capable 2,000-km plus range missile was launched from complex-
IV positioned inside the Wheelers Island, about 12 km from
Dhamra in Bhadrak district.
“The lift of the missile and even the first stage separation were
smooth. But the it faltered just before the second stage separation and behaved erratically deviating from its coordinated path. Further analysis is
on to ascertain the cause,” said a source.
``The missile, which was scheduled to be tested in November first week, was deferred due to some technical snags in its pneumatic system. The technical snags were later rectified, but another glitch during the test surfaced leading to the fiasco,” the source claimed. During the last test, termed as ‘trainer user trial’ on May 19, this missile too had failed to give the desired results. It had then reportedly covered nearly 203 km in 127 seconds before plunging into the sea.
``The test in dark is a major step towards making the missile
fully operational in the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as it gives
the confidence to the armed forces that the missile can be fired
whenever required,” claimed a scientist who refused to divulge details
about the test result.
The user trial was conducted by the Army officials while scientists
from DRDO were present to provide the logistical support. In
fact, the trial was intended to help the Army learn how to use the weapon in any condition on the field.
Agni-II missile, with a length of 20 metres, one-metre diameter and weighing 17 tonnes, can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg. The indigenously built weapon is two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile. It was first tested in April 11, 1999 and inducted in the Army in 2004.