India, on Thursday, successfully test-fired the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, in another important step in the country's strategic missile programme.
According to the defence ministry, the launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile. The test was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
A two-stage, surface-to-surface ballistic missile powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor, Agni-4 is capable of striking targets at distances of up to 4,000 km.
The missile is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, a fifth-generation onboard computer and a distributed architecture. It also incorporates advanced guidance features that enable it to correct its trajectory during flight.
The missile uses a Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) supported by a Micro Navigation System (MINGS), enabling it to reach its target with great accuracy.
Agni-4 is part of India's growing strategic missile arsenal, which also includes the Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III and Prithvi missile systems, providing the armed forces with a reach of over 3,000 km and strengthening the country's deterrence capability.
India has already successfully conducted trials of the Agni-Prime and Agni-3 ballistic missiles.
