India has conducted the canister-based test firing of the Agni-V long-range surface-to-surface missile at the Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

Launched from a canister mounted on a road-mobile launcher from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), the nuclear-capable, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has a strike range of more than 5,000km.

In a statement, the Indian Defence Ministry said: “All the mission objectives were successfully achieved. This launch comes after a series of successful launches of the missile. It further strengthens the country’s deterrence capability, which has been developed indigenously by assiduous efforts of scientists.”

Developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile’s user associated trial was conducted and monitored by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

“This is the third successful launch of Agni-V this year and the fifth launch of the missile in a canisterised form.”

DRDO scientists and other associated officials were also present to observe the test firing.



The three-stage solid fuelled missile was test launched in January and June this year.

An official source was quoted by The Hindu as saying: “This is the third successful launch of Agni-V this year and the fifth launch of the missile in a canisterised form.”

The first canister-based trial of the Agni-V was carried out in 2015. The missile conducted its first two flights in open configuration in 2012 and 2013.

The 17m-long missile is capable of carrying a 1.1t payload and features a ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (INS) and modern micro-navigation system (MINS).

Reports suggest that the missile will soon be inducted with the Indian Army.