On 02 Jan 17, Agni – IV Missile was test fired successfully from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. This missile was fired from a road mobile launcher. The missile is nuclear capable and has a range of 4000 km. It was test fired at noon and all radars, tracking systems and range systems monitored the parameters of its performance. All parameters were found within limits and met all mission objectives.  This was a very important test fire of the missile proving our capability to destroy target at a distance of 4000 Km from a road mobile launcher. Agni – IV is a two stage intercontinental Ballistic missile.   

This testing is carried out few days after successful test fire of Agni – V missile on 26 Dec 16. Agni V missile is a nuclear capable three stage intercontinental ballistic missile with the range of 5000 km. 

Both these missiles are next in the series of Agni missiles. Before these Agni - I, Agni - II and Agni – III are already commissioned and inducted in Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of Armed forces. They all are nuclear capable and can be launched from Air, ground or sea. Agni – I has a range of 700 Km, Agni – II has 2000 Km and Agni – II has range of 3000 Km. Thus, these missiles are categorised as IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles), whereas Agni – IV andAgni – V fall in the category of ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missilie).  These missiles are already a big deterrent to our enemy. Agni – IV and Agni – V are undergoing field trials. These trials are likely to be completed in next two to three years. Thereafter, these will also be inducted in the Armed forces and make our arsenal very potent. With varied range of 700 to 5000 km and capability to launce from Air, Ground as well as sea, they give us capability to strike Pakistan, China and other countries. It also gives second strike capability.

We are also equipped with another missile class called Prithvi. Prithvi is a short range nuclear capable ballistic missile. The system is developed keeping Pakistan as a target in mind. Prithvi missiles have single stage liquid motor (Prithvi – I and Prithvi – II) and single stage solid motor (Prithvi –III). Its range varies from 150 Km to 600 Km. They can carry pay load of 500 kg to 1000 kg. Thus, these missiles are true deterrent to Pakistan. All Prithvi missiles are SRBM (Short Range Ballistic Missiles).

All these systems are developed by DRDO under a program called IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missiles Development Program. The program was launched in 1983.

India has also developed many other types of missiles systems like Dhanush. Aakash, Trishul, Astra, Naag, Shaurya, Prahar, K4, Sagrika, Barak (1 and 8), Brahmos and Nirbhay. These systems cover all different range, launching platforms and targets requirements of armed forces to create a secured environment. Many systems are also under development stage including Agni – VI. Brahmos missile is a cruise missile and is considered the best in the world in its category.