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India to demonstrate flexible second strike capability by test launching sophisticated ballistic missile Agni-3 in the next five months
Before end of 2005, India will demonstrate to the world its world-class capability in design and deployment of most sophisticated ballistic missile. It will make India capable of striking Beijing through this strategic asset.
India wants to test launch this year its most sophisticated ballistic missile Agni-3, which could provide additional strike capability, a top defense scientist has said.
Class:IRBM
Defence Research and Development Laboratory(DRDL) Director Dr Prahlada, who is heading the indigenous missile development programme, told new media that the mission was "in its final stages" and its maiden test launch was expected by the year-end.
"The missile is under development... Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had announced the launch in 2005 and we are working on that," Dr Prahlada said. All the technical problems related to Agni-3 development have been successfully tackled.
Hyderebad-based DRDL is developing the missile, aimed at providing a flexible second strike capability to the country.
The Agni-3, currently in development, is an intermediate-range, surface-based, solid- and liquid-propellant ballistic missile. Its primary purpose will be to extend India’s nuclear deterrent against China.
At present, the Agni-3 is believed to be a three-stage missile that essentially adds a third stage onto the first and second stages of the Agni-2. It will probably be deployed from either rail- or road-mobile launch vehicles. It will most likely be equipped with an inertial guidance systems with an improved optical or radar terminal phase correlation system. This would likely give it a high degree of accuracy with a medium to large nuclear payload, most likely a 200 or 300 kT warhead.
Sources differ as to the Agni-3’s maximum range. Some indicate that it will have a maximum range of 4,000 km (2,485 miles), while others place this number as high as 5,000 (3,107 miles) to 6,000 km (3,728 miles). At 5,000 km, the Agni-3 would be more than capable of reaching its primary target: Beijing. Although not technically an intercontinental ballistic missile, its ability to strike Beijing would make the Agni-3 a strategic asset for India.
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