Agni-5 Missile Successfully Test Fired from Abdul Kalam Island on Odisha Coast

Bhubaneswar: Agni-5 ballistic missile was successfully test-fired from Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on Thursday.

A no-fly zone was declared over Bay of Bengal ahead of an Agni-V ballistic missile test.

Importance of Agni-5

This highly advanced ballistic missile can strike targets at a distance of up to 5500 Km. It has the capacity to carry nuclear warheads. It can also be launched from a submarine.

The Agni-5 is the fifth in a series of medium and long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles developed by India. This missile was first tested in 2012. It was again test-fired in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

In 2008 Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) started developing the Agni-5.

China’s worry:

Test launch of Agni-5 ballistic missile became a major worry for China. Ahead of the missile test, China sent a spy vessel into the Indian Ocean on December 6.

The Agni 5 project is aimed at enhancing India’s “nuclear deterrence” against China. With its 5500 Km strike range, Agni-V has the capability to reach the northernmost parts of China. So, China is panicked by its test.