AGNI PRIME

Context: 

 India has successfully test-fired indigenously-developed new generation medium-range ballistic missile Agni Prime from the Odisha coast.

Key features

It is a two-stage canisterised solid-propellant missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system.

Operational range : between 1,000 km and 2,000 km.

Launched by: DRDO

It weighs 50 per cent less than the Agni 3 missile and has new guidance and propulsion systems.

In addition, since it is canisterised, it can be launched from rail or road, be stored for longer periods and can be transported as per operational requirements.

It is the sixth missile in the Agni (missile) series of the ballistic missile.

It’s the first ‘declared’ MIRV missile in India’s missile arsenal.

What are Agni missiles?

They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.

They are long-range, nuclear weapons capable of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.

the first missile of the series, Agni-I was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and tested in 1989.

After its success, the Agni series of missiles got separated from IGMDP seeing its strategic significance.

Indian Surface-to-Surface missile system: Agni missile, Prithvi missile, Shaurya missile, Surya missile

What are ballistic missiles?

A ballistic missile is a type of missile which uses projectile motion to deliver warheads to a target. These weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods—most of the flight is unpowered. In contrast, cruise missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights.

What is IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)?

It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.

The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:

Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (1,2,3,4,5)

Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile.

Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.

Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.