Agni (missile): Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

| is_missille = yes

| name = ''[[Agni-I|Agni—I]]—[[Agni-P|P]]—[[Agni-II|II]]—[[Agni-III|III]]—[[Agni-IV|IV]]—[[Agni-V|V]]—[[Agni VI|VI]]''

| image = Agni-V during its first test flight.jpg

| caption = Agni-V [[ICBM]]

| origin = India

| type = Medium-range ballistic missile (Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni Prime)<br />Intermediate-range ballistic missile (Agni-III, Agni-IV)<br />Intercontinental ballistic missile (Agni-V, Agni VI)

| used_by = India

| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]

| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics|Bharat Dynamics Limited]]

| unit_cost =  

| production_date =  

| service = Active

| propellant = [[Solid fuel]]

| engine = [[Composite material|Composite]] [[rocket motor]]

| weight = 12,000 kg (Agni-I)<ref name=express715859/><br />16,000 kg (Agni-II)<br />48,000 kg (Agni III)<br /> 17,000&nbsp;kg (Agni-IV)<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=T.S. | last=Subramanian | title=Agni-IV test-flight a 'stupendous success' | date=15 November 2011 | access-date=15 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116171234/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece | archive-date=16 November 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref><br />49,000 kg (Agni-V)<ref name=toi28376198>{{cite news|title=DRDO plans to test 10 missiles this year|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-27/bhubaneswar/28376198_1_agni-ii-km-range-agni-iii|access-date=19 October 2011|date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501085437/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-27/bhubaneswar/28376198_1_agni-ii-km-range-agni-iii|archive-date=1 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />55,000 kg (Agni VI)<ref name=IBN1/>

| length = 15 m (Agni-I)<ref name=express715859/><br />21 m (Agni-II)<ref name=hindu20100518>{{cite news|last=Mallikarjun|first=Y.|title=Agni-II missile test-fired successfully|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/18/stories/2010051855891600.htm|access-date=20 October 2011|date=18 May 2010|location=Chennai, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107113558/http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/18/stories/2010051855891600.htm|archive-date=7 November 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />17 m (Agni-III)<ref name=deccanherald51332>{{cite news|title=Nuclear-capable Agni-III missile test-fired|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51332/india-tests-long-range-nuclear.html|access-date=19 October 2011|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=7 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217225330/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51332/india-tests-long-range-nuclear.html|archive-date=17 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><br />20 m (Agni-IV)<ref name="thehindu.com"/><br />17.5 m (Agni-V)<ref name=toi28376198/>

| diameter = 1.0 m (Agni-I, Agni-II) <br />2.0 m (Agni-III, Agni V)<br />1.1 m (Agni VI)<ref name=IBN1/>

| wingspan =  

| speed = 24 Mach (Agni 5)

| vehicle_range = 700–1,200&nbsp;km (Agni-I)<ref name=express715859/><ref name="toi-19oct11">{{cite news|title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-I missile|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-25/india/28262189_1_wheeler-s-island-nuclear-capable-agni|access-date=19 October 2011|date=25 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104013732/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-25/india/28262189_1_wheeler-s-island-nuclear-capable-agni|archive-date=4 November 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />1,000–2,000&nbsp;km (Agni Prime)<ref name="indiatvnews.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/agni-prime-nuclear-capable-missile-successfully-test-fired-off-odisha-coast-715204|title=Agni-Prime: Nuclear capable missile successfully test-fired off Odisha coast|date=28 June 2021|access-date=2021-06-28}}</ref><br />2,000–3,500&nbsp;km (Agni-II)<ref name=hindu20100518 /><br />3,000–5,000&nbsp;km (Agni-III)<ref name="Missile Threat"/><br />3,500–4,000&nbsp;km (Agni-IV)<br/>5,000–8,000&nbsp;km (Agni-V)<ref name=TOI30409335>{{cite news|title=Eyeing China, India to enter ICBM club in 3 months|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-17/india/30409335_1_agni-v-agni-iv-agni-programme-director|access-date=23 February 2012|date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419150207/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-17/india/30409335_1_agni-v-agni-iv-agni-programme-director|archive-date=19 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| ceiling =  

| altitude = 300 km (Agni-I)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i |title=India successfully test-fired Agni-I |newspaper=Asian Tribune |access-date=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531123718/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i |archive-date=31 May 2012 }}</ref><br />230 km (Agni-II),<ref name="hindu20100518"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news/awx/2011/09/30/awx_09_30_2011_p0-376915.xml&headline=India%20Tests%20Agni-II%20Missile |title=India Tests Agni-II Missile |magazine=Aviation Week |date=30 September 2011 |access-date=2011-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016234843/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news%2Fawx%2F2011%2F09%2F30%2Fawx_09_30_2011_p0-376915.xml&headline=India%20Tests%20Agni-II%20Missile |archive-date=16 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />350 km (Agni-III)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article102369.ece |title=News / National: Agni-III launch a complete success |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=2011-10-20 |location=Chennai, India |first1=T. S. |last1=Subramanian |first2=Y. |last2=Mallikarjun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725032019/http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article102369.ece?homepage=true |archive-date=25 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| filling = Conventional [[high explosive]]-unitary, penetration, [[cluster munition]]s, [[incendiary weapon]], [[thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon]]

| guidance = '''Mid-course:''' [[Ring laser gyroscope|Ring laser gyro]] [[inertial navigation system]] with [[GPS]]/[[NavIC]] [[satellite guidance]] <br/> '''Terminal:''' Imaging [[infrared homing]], radar scene correlation, [[active radar homing]]

| detonation =  

| launch_platform = Road/Rail mobile<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/india/|title=Missiles of India|website=Missile Threat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>

The '''Agni missile''' (अग्नि [[IAST]]: [[Agni]] ''"Fire"'') is a family of [[Medium-range ballistic missile|medium]] to [[intercontinental ballistic missile|intercontinental]] range ballistic missiles developed by India, named after one of the [[Mahabhuta|five elements]] of nature. Agni missiles are long range, nuclear weapons capable, 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, Agni missile program was separated from the IGMDP upon realizing its strategic importance. It was designated as a special program in India's defence budget and provided adequate funds for subsequent development. {{as of|2019|November}}, the missiles in the Agni series are being inducted into service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/confident-of-doubling-range-of-the-astra-will-be-the-most-lethal-air-to-air-missile-drdo-chief/articleshow/72120351.cms|title=Confident of doubling range of the Astra, will be the most lethal air to air missile: DRDO Chief|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2019-11-19|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref> The family comprises the following:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/Agni-Indias-fire-power/5787/1/15.html |title=Agni: India's fire power |publisher=Brahmand.com |access-date=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020140012/http://brahmand.com/news/Agni-Indias-fire-power/5787/1/15.html |archive-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

| [[Agni-V]] || [[ICBM]] || 5,000–8,000&nbsp;km<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article1571261.ece?homepage=true |title=India developing 5,000&nbsp;km-range Agni missile |newspaper=The Hindu |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=2011-03-26 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403045319/http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article1571261.ece?homepage=true |archive-date=3 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Missile Threat agni">{{cite news|title=Missiles of the World: Agni 4/5|url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-4/|access-date=23 February 2012|newspaper=Missile Threat|date=19 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111061620/http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-4/|archive-date=11 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="THapace">{{cite news |author=T. S. Subramanian |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2288105.ece |title=Preparations apace for Agni V launch |newspaper=The Hindu |date=23 July 2011 |access-date=2011-07-24 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909044710/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2288105.ece |archive-date=9 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> (Operational)

The two-stage [[Agni]] technology demonstrator, with a solid-fuel first stage, was first tested at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur in 1989. It was capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000&nbsp;kg (2,200&nbsp;lb) or a nuclear warhead. This original technology demonstrator evolved into the solid-fuel Agni-1 and Agni-2 missiles. India first developed the two-stage 2000&nbsp; km range Agni-2, testing it in 1999. It then used the first stage of this system to develop the 700&nbsp; km range single-stage Agni-1, which was first tested in January 2002.

Weighing 12 tonne with a length of 15 metres, Agni-1 has a range of 700–900&nbsp;km<ref name="toi-19oct11"/> and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of {{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} or a [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]] warhead<ref name=express715859>{{cite news|title=India successfully test-fires Agni I ballistic missile|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-successfully-testfires-agni-i-ballist/715859/|access-date=19 October 2011|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=25 November 2010}}</ref> at a speed of 2.5&nbsp;km/s.<ref name=toi28376198/> Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two [[multistage rocket|stages]] (intermediate range). These are rail and road mobile and powered by solid [[rocket fuel|propellant]]s. Agni-I is used by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=express715859/> The latest missile test occurred on 13 July 2012, when India test fired Agni I successfully at Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/india/32662503_1_agni-i-missile-single-stage-missile-wheeler-island | title=India tests nuclear-capable Agni-I missile | date=13 July 2012 | access-date=30 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214154705/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/india/32662503_1_agni-i-missile-single-stage-missile-wheeler-island | archive-date=14 December 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> On 11 April 2014 the [[missile]] was test fired for the first time in a night trial exercise to its full range of 700&nbsp;km from the [[Wheeler Island, India|Wheeler island]] off the [[Odisha]] coast. The missile randomly picked from production line was test fired by the [[Strategic Forces Command]] after 11 pm. This test was first night after 2 previous test failed due to technical glitches.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agni1-clears-night-trial/article5902251.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Y. | last=Mallikarjun | title=Agni-1 clears night trial | date=11 April 2014 | access-date=17 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419011432/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agni1-clears-night-trial/article5902251.ece | archive-date=19 April 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher with logistics support from [[DRDO]] at the Integrated Test Range as part of the regular training exercise by the armed forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindianrepublic.com/nation/india-successfully-conducts-maiden-night-test-agni-missile-100032236.html|title=Successful test of Agni|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=theindianrepublic.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013457/http://www.theindianrepublic.com/nation/india-successfully-conducts-maiden-night-test-agni-missile-100032236.html|archive-date=19 April 2014}}</ref>

With a special weapons load{{specify|date=October 2017}} Agni-I can reach 1200&nbsp;km. As compared to Agni-II, Agni-I is less costly, simple, accurate and more mobile.

Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as ''Agni II prime''.<ref name="hindu4">{{cite news|title=Agni – IV successfully test fired|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece|access-date=15 November 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 November 2011|location=Chennai, India|first=T.S.|last=Subramanian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116171234/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece|archive-date=16 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Agni-IV was first tested on 15 November 2011 and 19 September 2012 from Wheeler Island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa for its full range of 4,000&nbsp;km. The missile lifted off from a road mobile launcher at 11.48 a.m. and after climbing to an altitude of over 800&nbsp;km, it re-entered the atmosphere and impacted near the pre-designated target in the Indian Ocean with remarkable degree of accuracy following a 20-minute flight. Carrying a payload of explosives weighing a tonne, the missile re-entered the atmosphere and withstood searing temperatures of more than 3,000&nbsp;°C. With a range of 3,000–4,000&nbsp;km,<ref name=toiagni4>{{cite news|title=India tests long-range nuclear-capable 'Agni-IV' missile|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-tests-long-range-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/articleshow/10737442.cms|access-date=15 November 2011|newspaper=The Times of India|date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718042210/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-tests-long-range-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/articleshow/10737442.cms|archive-date=18 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article3914340.ece |title=Sci-Tech / Science : Long range strategic missile Agni-IV test-fired |newspaper=The Hindu |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=2012-12-03 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122045954/http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article3914340.ece |archive-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Agni-IV bridges the gap between Agni II and Agni III. It was again successfully test fired on 20 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-testfires-4000-kmrange-nuclear-capable-agni4-missile/446570-3-234.html|publisher=IBN|title=Agni test fired|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202165506/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-testfires-4000-kmrange-nuclear-capable-agni4-missile/446570-3-234.html|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Agni IV can take a warhead of 1 tonne. It is designed to increase the kill efficiency along with a higher range performance. Agni IV is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, that includes indigenously developed ring laser gyro and composite rocket motor. It is a two-stage missile powered by solid propellant. Its length is 20 meters and launch weight 17 tonnes.<ref name=hindu4/> It can be fired from a road mobile launcher.<ref name=hindu4/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx |title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=2011-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116001820/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx |archive-date=16 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-tests-nuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/10737019.cms|title=India tests nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile|work=The Times of India|date=15 November 2011|access-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707193531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-tests-nuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/10737019.cms|archive-date=7 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Agni-V''' is a solid fueled [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] (ICBM) developed by [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) of India. It will greatly expand India's reach to strike targets more than 5,500&nbsp;km away. Agni-V was first test fired on 19 April 2012 at 08:07&nbsp;am [[Indian standard time|IST]] from [[Wheeler Island, India|Wheeler Island]] off the coast of Orissa, the test was successful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/agni-v-india-s-first-icbm-expected-to-be-test-fired-shortly-199325 |title=Agni-V, India's first ICBM, successfully test-fired |publisher=NDTV.com |date=19 April 2012 |access-date=2012-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623165934/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/agni-v-india-s-first-icbm-expected-to-be-test-fired-shortly-199325 |archive-date=23 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/china-to-europe-agniv-expands-indias-reach/249977-3.html|title=Agni-V test-fired successfully|publisher=Ibnlive.in.com|access-date=2012-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422050802/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/china-to-europe-agniv-expands-indias-reach/249977-3.html|archive-date=22 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Agni-V]] [[ICBM]] has been designed with the addition of a third composite stage to the two-stage Agni-III missile.<ref name=toi28376198 /> To reduce the weight it is built with high composite content. The 17.5-metre-long Agni-V would be a canister launch missile system so as to ensure that it has the requisite operational flexibility and can be swiftly transported and fired from anywhere.<ref name=toi28376198 /> Agni-V weighs around 49 tonnes; one tonne more than Agni III and a much longer range.<ref name=toi28376198/> The second test launch of Agni-V was successfully done on 15 September 2013 at 08:43 am IST from Wheeler Island.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Agni-V-now-ready-for-induction-into-the-Army/2013/09/15/article1785989.ece |title=Agni-V now ready for induction into the Army |newspaper=The New Indian Express|access-date=2013-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112041247/http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Agni-V-now-ready-for-induction-into-the-Army/2013/09/15/article1785989.ece |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2015, the canisterized version was successfully tested from Wheeler Island.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Agni 5, India's Longest Range Ballistic Missile, Successfully Test-Fired |date=31 January 2015 |newspaper=The Arunachal Times |url=http://www.arunachaltimes.in/national.html |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Vzv2ax5G?url=http://www.arunachaltimes.in/national.html |archive-date=31 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

| [[Agni-V]] || Agni-V || Strategic ||[[Strategic nuclear weapon]]|| 1,500  || 5,000–8,000 (Speculated) || 17X2 || Three Stage solid || 50,000 || 2019 || >10 - <80<ref name=thin2oct13>{{cite news|title=Agni-V vital: Tessy Thomas|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/agniv-vital-tessy-thomas/article5191824.ece|access-date=23 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024094631/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/agniv-vital-tessy-thomas/article5191824.ece|archive-date=24 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Agni-P]] || Agni-1 Prime || Strategic || Conventional, [[Thermobaric weapon|thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon]]|| Unknown || 1,000–2,000<ref name="indiatvnews.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/agni-prime-nuclear-capable-missile-successfully-test-fired-off-odisha-coast-715204|title=Agni-Prime: Nuclear capable missile successfully test-fired off Odisha coast|date=28 June 2021|access-date=2021-06-28}}</ref> || Unknown || Two stage solid || Unknown || In trial || 10

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