India on Wednesday successfully test-fired surface-to-surface strategic missile Agni-5. The missile hit its target situated 5,000 kilometres away within the expected time. The successful test-firing of the missile, built by the Defence Research Development Organisation's (DRDO), was carried out around 7:50 pm from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
"The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India's stated policy to have credible minimum deterrence that underpins the commitment to 'No First Use'," the defence ministry said in a brief statement.
"The missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.," the ministry said.
The work on the Agni 5 intercontinental ballistic missile project was started over a decade ago and the missile was tested seven times before. The missile has a height of 17 metres and it is capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne warhead.
With Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries, with the others being China, US, Russia, Britain and France, to have ICBMs. Interestingly, the DRDO is also working on a longer-range version of the Agni series of missiles.
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