India today conducted a test launch of its nuclear-capable Agni 2 ballistic missile, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, June 19).
(Nov. 23) -
An Indian Agni 2 ballistic missile is displayed during a 2006 parade in New Delhi. India today conducted a test-launch of the nuclear-capable missile (Raveendran/Getty Images).
The medium-range missile is designed to carry a nuclear or conventional payload up to 1,560 miles.
The 7:50 p.m. launch from a mobile system on Wheeler Island "was a user training trial to handle the missile at night," a defense source told AFP.
India has already improved upon the Agni 2. The Agni 3 has a flight range of 1,864 miles, while there are reports of development of an Agni missile capable of flying more than 3,000 miles (Agence France-Presse reported (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, Nov. 23).