Agni V, India's first ICBM, successfully test-fired

Updated: April 18, 2012 19:10 IST

Agni V, India's first ICBM, successfully test-fired

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

India successfully test-fired Agni V, its first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) today at 8:05 am.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief VK Saraswat said, "The mission was successful. The missile hit the target in the Indian Ocean in a perfect way."

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

India will break into the exclusive ICBM club of six countries including the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, China and France once the 50-tonne Agni V is ready for induction by 2014-2015.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

Designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists, Agni V has a range of 5,000 kilometres.

$Agni-V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

DRDO scientists say that it has the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead weighing over one tonne.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

17 metres tall and 50 tonnes in weight, Agni V's three stages are powered by solid propellants.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

The test launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was postponed due to bad weather.

$Agni V, India\'s first ICBM, successfully test-fired$

The missile can be launched only after a decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

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