The government will need to decide whether to test the missile at its new, 7,000 km maximum range, defence sources informed news agency ANI.
According to ANI, which cited defence sources, Agni-V, which was successfully tested on December 15 from Odisha, can travel more than 7,000 kilometres due to a 20% weight reduction.
According to the report, the Defense Research and Development Organization was able to reduce the weight of the Agni-V missile by substituting composite materials for steel, and the government wants the missile to have a range of more than 7,000 km.
Agni-3 weighs around 40 tonnes and can strike targets at 3,000 km while the Agni-4 weighs more than 20 tonnes and can cover a much longer range. “The extended range of the missile which is part of the Strategic Forces Command will give a variety of options to the planners during times of conflict,” the report said.
Agni-V was tested on Thursday at its maximum 5,400 kilometre range.
The government will have to decide whether to test the missile at its increased maximum range, it stated.
On December 9, the Agni-V test took place in the Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh as tensions along the border with China grew.
The last Agni test fire was conducted in October.
The Agni V employs a three-stage solid-fuelled engine and can strike targets with a high degree of accuracy at distances up to 5,000 kilometres, according to a statement from the defence ministry.
According to the statement, Agni-successful V’s test is in accordance with India’s declared objective of having “credible minimum deterrent,” which supports the commitment to “No First Use.”
(With input from ANI)
