India test-fires nuclear capable strategic ballistic missile

Published November 9, 2014
The Agni-II ballistic missile would take only 15 minutes to be readied for firing (representational image). — Reuters/File
The Agni-II ballistic missile would take only 15 minutes to be readied for firing (representational image). — Reuters/File

India test-fired on Sunday a nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile, Agni-II, the Times of Inida (TOI) reported.

According to the Indian publication, the missile has a range of over 2,000 kilometres and has been inducted into the Indian army's strategic forces arsenal for nuclear deterrence.

TOI says the medium-range missile is equipped with an advanced high-accuracy navigation system and guided by a state-of-the-art command and control system which is powered by a solid rocket propellant system.

The two-stage surface-to-surface missile's range could be increased to 3,000 kilometres by reducing its payload, the report said, adding that the missile could be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers.

The Agni-II ballistic missile would take only 15 minutes to be readied for firing. India has first successfully test-fired Agni-II prototype in 1999.

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