India test-fires Agni-II ballistic Missile from Wheeler Island, off Odisha coast

India’s nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Agni-II ballistic missile was test-fired from the Wheeler Island Odisha coast on May 4, 2017

Key Points:

Agni-II ballistic missile has a strike range of 2000 kilometers.The test was aimed at re-establishing the operational effectiveness of the weapon system.

• Agni missile series being developed by DRDO as a deterrent against nuclear armed neighbours.
• The missile can carry a nuclear payload of 1000 kilogram.
• It is included among India’s most sophisticated weapons.

About Agni-II Ballistic Missile

• Agni-II is a strategic ballistic missile.
• The Agni-II is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with two solid fuel stages and a Post Boost Vehicle (PBV) integrated into the missile’s Re-entry Vehicle (RV).
• The Agni’s manoeuvring RV is made of a carbon-carbon composite material that is light and able to sustain high thermal stresses of re-entry, in a variety of trajectories.
• Agni-II was designed by DRDO.
• Agni-II operational range is 2000-3000 km.
• The missiles are operated by the 335 Missile Group at Secunderabad using 12 TEL vehicles.