Agni-IV successfully test-fired

India flexed its military might once again by sucessfully test-firing the nuclear capable Agni-IV missile (range upto 4000 km) from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

Points to Remember

• This was the third and last testing of this Intermediate-range ballistic missile before induction into the Indian Army.
• This 3rd successful testing after ones in November 2011 and Sepetmber 2012 add another feather into the 'DRDO' cap - developer of the Agni series
• Its a strategic missile which can carry a nuclear warhead weighing one tonne. 
• The fourth missile in the Agni series this is actually a cross between Agni-2 & Agni-3.
• Army will now be able to produce it on the ad-hoc basis.

Wheeler Island

• This tiny island of less than 2 square km is situated just 10 km off the coast of Odisha on the Bay of Bengal.
• India has an advance missile testing facility there.

The Agni missiles

• The ambitious Agni series is a family of nuclear weapons capable surface to surface ballistic missile with range varying from medium to Intermediate to intercontinental. 
• They are the mainstay of our "credible deterrence" defence policy against China and Pakistan.

Agni-I

• The sole in the series to be developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
• The rest in the series have been developed under a special program in India's defence budget.
• Its a Medium-range ballistic missile with strike range between 700 – 1250 km. 
• Its used by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.

Agni-II    

• Strike range between 2000 to 3000 km (Operational)

Agni-III 

• It boast of a strike range of 3,500 km capable of carrying a warhead of 1.5 tonnes.

Agni-V    

• Nation's first Intercontinental ballistic missile with a impressive strike range of over 5500 km.

Agni-VI    

• Its in early stages of development.
• Once a reality, Its expected to have a strike-range of 8,000–10,000 km.
• It will also be capable of being launched from submarines as well as from land.  

More

• The first three in the series (Agni- I, II & III) have already become operational.
• IV & V are marching on their way to become operational soon.