A nuclear-capable Agni-IV ballistic missile, which can strike targets 4,000 km away, was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast today, marking a significant boost to the country’s military capabilities.
The test was a part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, said the Defence Ministry.
“The successful test reaffirms India’s policy of having a credible minimum deterrence capability,” it said in a statement. The missile was test-fired off APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha at 7.30 pm this evening.
The government said the launch validated all operational parameters as also reliability of system.
Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles – earlier known as Agni II prime – developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO.
Last year, India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable strategic Agni Prime missile with the capability to hit targets between 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres.
India is in the process of further strengthening its strategic missiles arsenal by adopting newer technologies and capabilities.