New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian defense scientists have successfully conducteda pre-induction test of the country’s longest-range nuke-capablesurface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-V, from the Abdul Kalam defensebase on the eastern coast of Odisha. The test was conducted at 9.53 am(Indian Standard Time) on Thursday.
“The consecutive success of the canisterized version of the Agni V missilepaves the way for initiation of its production and subsequent induction,” adefense source told Sputnik.
Defense officials say that in Thursday’s launch, the missile followed itsentire trajectory in a textbook manner, dropping three motors at predefinedstages into the Bay of Bengal. Three warships — one in midrange and twoat the target point tracked the missile and witnessed the final event.
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The missile had irked China when it was successfully test fired in December2016. China said the test was against UN Security Council rules and that itthreatened to disrupt the strategic geopolitical balance in South Asia.
UN Security Council Resolution 1172, which was unanimously adopted in 1998following nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, calls upon the two countriesto cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclearwarheads.
“Calling on India and Pakistan immediately to stop their nuclear-weapondevelopment program, to cease development of ballistic missiles capableof delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissilematerial for nuclear weapons, the Council encouraged all States to preventthe export of equipment, materials or technology that could in any wayassist their programs for nuclear weapons or for ballistic missiles capableof delivering such weapons,” the resolutionlink>read.
India’s tri-service Strategic Forces Command has already inducted themissiles Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III and will soon induct Agni-IV andAgni-V.
The Agni series of missiles has been developed by DRDO and is part India’sexpensive and time-consuming quest for an integrated guided missile defensesystem.