BALASORE: The stage is set for a fresh user trial of nuclear capable surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile, Agni-II. The weapon system is likely to be test fired from a defence base located off the Odisha coast on Sunday.
Defence sources said the indigenously developed missile, which was inducted in the Indian Army in 2004, will be fired from a mobile launcher positioned at the launching complex-IV of Wheeler’s Island test facility near Dhamra. Preparations for the test have been completed.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that has developed the missile under its Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) is eyeing successful trial of the missile. It had failed twice in 2009 but the missile was tested okay in the corresponding years.
After the twin failures, a new navigation system that provides better accuracy as well as the capability to manoeuvre and defeat anti-ballistic missiles, was integrated in the missile system.
Agni-II missile, which has a length of 21 metres, diameter of 1.3 metre and weighs 16 tonnes, can neutralise a target over 2,000 km away.
It can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg and its range could be increased to 3,000 km depending upon the payload.