Context:

=> India successfully carried night launch of nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile.

=> It was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

Range of the missile:

=> Agni-4 ballistic missile has a range of around 4,000 kilometres.

Significance of the Missile:

• It marks significant boost to India’s military capabilities.
• It is being considered as a part of India’s deterrence against China.
• It also reaffirms country’s policy of having a ‘credible minimum deterrence capability’.
• It was part of routine user training launches and was carried out under Strategic Forces Command.
• It validated all operational parameters as well as the reliability of system.

Recent launch by India:

• In the recent months, India test-fired an extended range version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
• It was the first launch of extended range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft.
• Indian Navy and Andaman and Nicobar command test-fired an anti-ship version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on April 27, 2022.

Agni-IV Missile:

It is the fourth in Agni series of missiles. It was earlier known as Agni II prime. It has been developed by DRDO. It is a light-weight and comprises of two stages of solid propulsion and a payload, along with the re-entry heat shield. It is having a range of 4,000 km. Missile is capable of striking targets in almost all of mainland China, in case launched from northeast India.

Testing of Agni-IV:

Agni-IV missile has been tested for seven times, over six years. It was successfully test fired for the first time on November 15, 2011 from a road-mobile launcher. It followed its trajectory and attained a height of 900 km. It reached the pre-designated target in Bay of Bengal.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED