India successfully test-fires Agni-5 ballistic missile, can strike targets upto 5,000 km

New Delhi: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired surface to surface ballistic missile, Agni-5, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast, giving a major boost to country’s military capabilities.

The missile, with a reach of 5,000 km was test-fired off Odisha coast at 7.50 pm.

The missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets upto a 5,000-km range with a very high degree of accuracy.

The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’, the government said in a statement.

India’s intercontinental ballistic missile

The Agni-V is India’s nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile and enhances nation’s deterrence against many world powers especially China.

Currently, India has in its armoury a range of Agni missiles including Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500-km range.