India test-fires nuke capable Agni-1 missile

NEW DELHI—India test-fired nuclear capable Agni-ballistic missile with a range of 700 kms on Friday which was launched from Wheelers Island off the Orissa coast.
Media reports quoting defence sources said it was the fourth test-firing of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which is being termed as “users trial”. It was conducted from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch complex- 4 around 10.38 am. The sources claimed that there were considerable improvements in its re-entry technology and manoeuvreability since Agni’s first trial was carried out on January 25, 2002 from Wheelers Island.
The second and third trials were conducted on January 9, 2003 and July 4, 2004 from the same launching site. The prime objective of the trial was said to be fine tuning and reconfirmation of the technical parameters. Agni-I is a single stage version of Agni-II missile with a length of 15 metres and weighs 12 tons. It is capable of carrying a 1000 kg payload both nuclear and conventional warhead. The missile is powered by solid fuel rocket that propels it at a velocity of 2.5 km per second.—Agencies