The Hindu : Front Page : Agni-II test-fired

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 30, 2004

Front Page

Agni-II test-fired

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR, AUG. 29. The country's indigenously developed Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile was successfully test-fired from the Wheeler Island in Bay of Bengal off the Orissa coast today.

The surface-to-surface missile was test-fired from a mobile launching pad at 12.55 p.m. The Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, was present.

The entire process of the test-firing was tracked down by telemetry and tracking stations and the naval ships stationed near the impact point at sea, according to sources.

Agni-II is a two-stage solid propellant missile with a range of 2000 to 2500 km. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads.

Today's was the third test-firing of Agni-II. It was first test-fired on April 11, 1999, and then on January 17, 2001.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) started the Agni missile project in 1983 and the first test-firing was done on May 22, 1989.

The Defence Secretary, Ajai Vikram Singh, the DRDO Secretary, V.K. Aatre, the Mission Director of Agni, R.N. Aggarwal, and a large number of defence scientists were present.

PTI reports from New Delhi:

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, congratulated the scientists and engineers for the successful test-firing. He said: ``I convey my congratulations on the successful launch of the Agni II missile, and felicitate the entire team of scientists and engineers who have worked most diligently for the success of the prestigious project.

"Today's launch marks a significant step forward in the country's efforts to achieve self-reliance in a high technology defence project of vital national importance. The nation is proud of this achievement."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Antony resigns, takes responsibility for election debacle

LDF welcomes resignation

Agni-II test-fired

Curtains come down on Games

Oil pipelines bombed in Iraq

8 arrested for LeT links

Bofors case

'No' to treaty

SAIL to buy stake in coal mine abroad

Sachin, Amitabh find place in dictionary

100 days in office