| Country: |
India |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Basing: |
railcar mobile, possible road-based TEL |
| Length: |
16.7 m |
| Diameter: |
1.85 m |
| Launch Weight: |
48000 kg |
| Payload: |
2000 |
| Warhead: |
nuclear fusion 200-300 kT; possible MIRV version |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage solid propellant |
| Range: |
3500-5000 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
The Agni-3 is an intermediate-range, two-stage solid propellant ballistic missile. With a range of at least 3500-5000km, the Agni-3 can easily reach any target within mainland China – a point not lost on the Indian or Chinese governments. This missile would seem to be a big step in India’s deterrence policy towards China.1
Compared to its sister missile, the Agni-2, the Agni-3 is shorter, wider, and considerably heavier. Whereas the Agni-2 is 20m long, the newer missile is only 16.7m long. With a width of 1.85m and a weight of 48000kg, however, the Agni-3 delivers a much heavier warhead a much greater distance.2 Though early reports3 of the Agni-3 suggested that it would borrow its second-stage motor from the Agni-2, the overall diameter and weight of its two engine stages do not match the motors employed on the Agni-2. With these new motors, the Agni-3 can outdistance its predecessor to a maximum distance of around 5000km. It may be able to reach as much as 6000km with a decreased payload and improved motors. A new chromium-based nose-coating technology, announced in September 2008, could additionally improve the missile’s range by minimizing atmospheric drag.4
The maximum payload of the Agni-3 is 2000kg. A nuclear fusion warhead with a yield of 200-300 kT is expected as the primary warhead for the missile, but possible upgrades could also implement MIRV technology. HE or submunition warheads could also be fitted to the missile.5
Like its predecessors, the Agni-3 can be fired from a rail-based launcher. It is possible that a road-based TEL has been or will be developed as well, though at this time the missile has probably not been implemented into regular production. The missile is expected to reach production/service sometime in 2010 or 2011.6
According to India’s defense authorities, the Agni-3 represents a number of firsts in the country’s missile program. Besides flying farther and carrying a heavier weight than Agni-1 or Agni-2, this missile employs a more sophisticated guidance system that allows the Agni-3 complete autonomy once in flight.7 This new technology has been reported to have an incredible accuracy of 40m CEP.8
To date, the Agni-3 has been test-fired four times. Its first test, on 9 July 2006, was unsuccessful. Its subsequent tests, on 12 April 2007, 9 May 2008, and 7 February 2010, have all been successful and met testing criteria. The fourth test is believed to be the final pre-induction test, a belief which suggests that the missile will soon enter regular production – if it has not already.9
-Updated on 19 July 2010
Footnotes
1. Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, January 2009) 53-54;
2. ibid 55-56.
3. Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 45, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, July 2006) 50-51.
4. “New tech to boost missile range by 40%,” The Economic Times, 10 September 2008, available at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/ET_Cetera/New_tech_to_boost_missile_range_by_40/articleshow/3464620.cms, accessed on 19 July 2010; “Indian-developed technology to boost range of missiles and protect re-entry vehicles,” domain-b, 10 September 2008, available at http://www.domainb.com/aero/mil_avi/miss_muni/20080910_Indian_technology.html, accessed on 19 July 2010.
5. Jane's, Issue 50, 56.
6. ibid.
7. “Agni III Launched Successfully,” Press Information Bureau Government of India, Ministry of Defence, 12 April 2007, available at http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=26817, accessed on 19 July 2010.
8. “Successful Agni-III missile tests provide India with a credible deterrent, boost for DRDO,” 8AK, 8 February 2010, available at http://www.8ak.in/8ak_india_defence_news/2010/02/successful-agniiii-missile-tests-provide-india-with-a-credible-deterrence-.html, accessed on 19 July 2010.
9. “Agni-III hits target, meets all objectives,” The Economic Times, 8 February 2010, available at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Agni-III-hits-target-meets-all-objectives/articleshow/5546745.cms, accessed on 19 July 2010.
India Puts Agni III Into Service
August 11, 2010 :: The Times of India :: News
India's Defense Minister, Arackaparambil Kurian Antony, has announced that India's military will soon put the Agni III—a ballistic missile with a reported range of 3,000 km—into service. The Agni III is a two-stage missile that some experts believe could have a range of up to 5,000 or 6,000 km with smaller payloads and improved motors. A range of 4,500 km would be needed to reach rival China.
Design for the Agni IV, basically an Agni III with a third stage, is believed to have commenced in 2006. The Agni IV, with a planned range of 5,000-6,000 km, would be India's first truly Intercontinental ballistic missile. India's indigenous offensive ballistic missile program has had some significant setbacks in recent years, especially when compared to their much more successful BMD program. (Article, Link)
» Missile details: Agni-1, Agni-2, Agni-3, Agni-4/5
India Set to Test Agni III+ in 2009, Agni IV in 2010
January 7, 2008 :: News
An Indian defense official has announced that India would test a new intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5,000 kilometers in the beginning of 2009. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, program director for ballistic missile development at the Defense Research and Development Organization, made the announcement and gave a few indications of the missile's capability. The new missile, designated "Agni III+" is an upgraded version of the Agni III intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by India. The recently tested Agni III has a range of up to 4,000 km and is designed to carry a single nuclear warhead. Sarasvat was also quoted as saying that an additional ICBM is being developed which would have a range of 6,000 kilometers. This last missile, called Agni IV, has been scheduled for testing in 2010. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India
» Missile details: Agni-3
India Working on New Generation Missiles
July 7, 2007 :: News
India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has started work on new types of missiles, following successful tests of the Agni and Prithvi models. The new missiles include a superior version of the Agni III, a hypersonic BrahMos and a naval missile known as Sagarika. The superior Agni III, tentatively scheduled for testing in 2010, would boast a range of 5000 to 5500 kilometers, effectively pushing India into the club of nations with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The hypersonic BrahMos missile would move approximately ten times faster than the present version and is awaiting final consent from India and Russia, which produce the missile jointly. The Sagarika would be a submarine launched, nuclear-armed, missile with a range of 1000 kilometers. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India
» Cruise missile details: BrahMos PJ-10
» Missile details: Agni-3
Committee to Report on Agni-3 Launch Failure
August 24, 2006 :: India Defence :: News
On July 9, India test-launched its longest-range nuclear-capable missile, the Agni-3 intermediate range ballistic. The missile was successfully launched from Wheeler Island, off the coast of Orissa State, but crashed into the Bay of Bengal after traveling 1,000 km, rather than reaching its 3,000 km target. According to India-Defence.com, a committee set up to investigate the July 9 failure will deliver its report to the Indian government in two weeks. The committee is headed by a former Chief Controller of the Missiles and Strategic Weapons group of the Defense Research and Development Organization. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-3
India Test Fires Agni-3, Missile Fails During Flight
July 9, 2006 :: BBC :: News
India test-launched its longest-range nuclear-capable missile, the Agni-3, for the first time today. The missile was successfully launched from Wheeler Island, off the coast of Orissa State, but crashed into the Bay of Bengal after traveling 1,000 km without reaching its 3,000 km target, according to reports by the BBC and the Times of India.
The total flight time was said to be approximately five minutes out of an intended fifteen. Although the exact cause of the missile’s failure is not yet clear, an official from India’s Defense Ministry was quoted as saying that the second stage did not separate properly.
The Agni-3 is now quoted as having a range of between 3,500 and 5,000 km. Reports say it could hit targets as far off as Beijing and Shanghai. The missile was also said to have two solid-fuel stages, rather than three as was previously believed. It is likely equipped with an inertial guidance systems with an improved optical or radar terminal phase correlation system. This would probably give it a high degree of accuracy with a medium to large nuclear payload, most likely a 200 or 300 kT warhead. The Agni-3’s predecessors, the Agni-1 and Agni-2, are now quoted as having ranges of 700-800 km and 2,000 km respectively. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-2, Agni-3
India to Test Agni-3 in 2005
May 31, 2005 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
India will test launch its Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile before the end of 2005, reports Jane’s Defence Weekly. The Agni-3 is a three-stage, surface-based, solid- and liquid-propellant ballistic missile. Its range is believed to be approximately 5,000 km (3,107 miles), which would make it capable of striking Beijing. The article quotes a Dr. M. Natarajan, head of the India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), as saying that, “Development of Agni-3 is on schedule. It will fly by the end of the year.” According to the Jane’s report, the technical problems previously associated with the Agni-3 missile have been resolved. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India
» Missile details: Agni-3
Testing of Agni III May Occur in 2006
March 4, 2005 :: News
India has revised its estimate of when the Agni III ballistic missile will begin to undergo testing, which was reportedly expected as early as 2003; initial flight testing is now said to be at least another year away, namely in 2006, due to technical problems which are now said to be “well under control.” The Times of India quotes a source as saying that “The Agni-I (700-800 km range) and Agni-II (2,000-km-plus) missiles, already being inducted into the Army as part of the deterrent posture against Pakistan, have boosters from Indian Space Research Organisation…But Agni-III is a totally different system, with an entirely new vehicle…Its various systems have to be extensively tested in ground test-beds first to establish reliability.” (More »»»)
» More stories on: India
» Missile details: Agni-3
Possible Agni III Test in July
June 23, 2004 :: News
India’s Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced on June 19 that India would test launch its Agni III missile “as and when required.” The nuclear-capable Agni III has never yet been fired, but tests have been put off since last November. The missile is believed to have a range of about 3,000km. Several days later, defense sources revealed that the missile is scheduled for launch sometime in July. The test should take place in the second week of July, and be launched from the test range in Orissa, east India. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-3
India Continuing Work on Agni-III
June 4, 2004 :: Xinhua :: News
India is continuing its work on the Agni-3 missile with a range of 3,000km, reports the Chinese Xinhau news agency, but it is not certain when it might be tested. One of the scientific advisors to the program is quoted as saying that it could be within a year. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-3
