India successfully test-fires surface-to-surface Agni-I missile

India successfully test-fires surface-to-surface Agni-I missileOrissa, Mar 23: India today successfully test fired its nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-I missile from the Wheelers' Island, a defence base in the Bay of Bengal on Orissa coast.

According to defence sources, Agni- I missile mounted on a mobile launcher was launched perfectly from the launch complex no. 4 of the Integrated Test Range.

The indigenously built sleek missile, having a range of 700-800 km, was test fired at 10:15 a. m., sources added.

Scientists from the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) along with Strategic Forces Command (SFC) personnel carried out the trial in order to ensure familiarisation with the end operator, that is a special missile group 334 raised by the Indian Army.

"It was the second user's trial of this sophisticated missile," officials associated with the trial said.

Earlier, the trial was carried out on October 5, 2007 from the same location.

The 15-metre tall missile, weighing about 12 tonnes, is capable of carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads of 1000 kg. (ANI)

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