India on Monday successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-II missile intermediate range ballistic missile, with a range of 2000 kms, from the Wheelers Island off Orissa coast.
A special strategic command force raised by Army conducted the trial with necessary logistic support provided by various laboratories of the ITR and Defence Research and Development Organisation scientists, the sources said.
The indigenously-built Agni-II missile is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile. Its length is 21 metres, width one metre and launch weight is 17 tonnes. It can carry a payload of one tonne over a distance of 2,000 km.
However, the range can be extended if the payload is reduced. The missile has already been inducted into the services and the SSC is in charge of the missile's operation.
Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other laboratories of DRDO and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.
Private industry has participated in a big way in its production, the sources said. The missile is part of the Agni series which includes Agni-I of 700 km range and Agni-III of 3,500 km range. Agni-I has been inducted into the forces and Agni-III is in the process of induction.
