India successfully test-fired its Agni-V missile can strike targets up to 5,000 km away and is being looked at as a strong message to China.
The missile broadly falls into the category of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile or ICBM which was launched from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island at 7:50 pm on Wednesday, whereas, the first test of Agni-5 was conducted in 2012.
The missile uses solid three-stage fuelled engines that can strike targets with high accuracy and is the bedrock of India’s nuclear deterrent along with submarine-based nuclear missiles.
At present, apart from the Agni-V, other Agni missiles in India’s armoury are Agni-I with a 700-km range, Agni-II with a 2,000-km range, Agni-III and Agni-IV with 2,500 km to over 3,500 km range.
Agni-I to V missiles are designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Also read: India successfully test-fires Agni Prime missile off Odisha coast
