Indian Army to conduct test-fired Agni-I medium range ballistic missile in next few days 2901144.

Sources at the integrated test range (ITR) in Chandipur here said preparation for the test has already begun at Wheeler Island launching complex off the Dhamara coast. Missile equipment, motor and all other accessories have arrived and work is on to keep the launcher ready and integrate the weapon.

“There were considerable improvements in its re-entry technology and manoeuvrability since Agni’s first trial. This test will reconfirm the technical parameters set for the Indian Army,” said a defence scientist associated with the programme.

As the missile has already been inducted in the Indian Army, this will be a limited stock production (LSP) test of Agni-I, which will be randomly selected from a bunch of missiles and used for trial.

The Agni missile is a family of Short to Intermediate range ballistic missiles developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

Agni-I was first tested at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur in 1989, and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000 kg or a nuclear warhead. The Agni I has a range of 700–1250 km.