India Test Fires Agni II

India test-fired its nuclear-capable intermediate range Agni II missile for the first time after sunset on Monday, said reports citing defence sources.

The surface-to-surface missile with a range of 2,000-plus kilometers was tested from Wheeler’s Island – a launch site in Bhadrak district of Orissa at around 1950 hours.

The Agni II, a part of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, is 20 meters in length and capable of carrying a payload of 1,000 kgs.

The range of the 17 tonne missile may however be increased to 3,000 kms by reducing its payload.

“It can be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers. It takes only 15 minutes for the missile to be readied for firing,” the sources were quoted as saying.