| Country: |
India |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road/Rail mobile |
| Length: |
14.80 m |
| Diameter: |
1.30 m |
| Launch Weight: |
12000 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 2000 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 20 kT, HE, submunitions, FAE |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
700-1200 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
Details
The Agni-1 is a short-range, road/rail-mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile. Falling between the short-range and medium-range categories, it fills the gap between India's short-range Prithvi systems and the longer range Agni-2.1 It was developed after the initial development of Agni-2, and borrows from its sister’s design. The Agni-2 uses a two-stage motor platform, while the Agni-1 uses only a single stage motor which is based on the first-stage motor of the Agni-2 platform. It has a shorter range but a heavier payload than the Agni-2.2
The Agni-1 is 14.8 m long, 1.3 m in diameter of 1.3 m, with a launch weight of 12,000 kg. It has an official range of 700 km with an impressive accuracy of 25 m CEP at a range of 860 km. By reducing the payload, the Agni-1 will most likely be able to extend its range to 1,200 km, a distance which encompasses all of Pakistan. Its maximum payload of 2000 kg can be equipped with a 20 or 45 kT nuclear warhead or with conventional explosives. The 20 kT warhead is larger than those used against Japan during WWII, although by modern standards this warhead is more appropriate for use against military targets.
The Agni-1 is designed to be launched from Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles, either road- or rail-mobile. This mobility will allow India to position and fire the Agni-1 during rapidly changing military situations. In addition, the missile has a relatively high accuracy, due to the fact that it combines an inertial guidance system with a terminal phase radar correlation targeting system on its warhead.4 Although the Agni-1 has an impressive range and accuracy for a system of its size, the missile is designed for tactical use. It is sufficient for use against military bases and units, although the fact that Pakistan and China deploy their nuclear force on TEL vehicles renders the Agni-1 useless as a counterforce weapon.
Development on the Agni-1 began in 1999 and the missile was first tested in January 2002 from a TEL vehicle at the Interim Test Range on Wheelers' Island off India's eastern coast. American reports suggest that this first test was a failure – though some authorities say otherwise5 – but subsequent tests have been successful.6 Test firings were made in January 2003, July 2004, October 2007, March 2008, and March 2010. Dr. V. K. Atre, head of the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), recently stated that all technical parameters set by the Army had been "fully met." 7 The Agni-1 missiles will be delivered to the 334 Missile Group at Secunderabad.8 Military sources indicate the missile is currently in production at a consistent rate, and that full scale production was approved in August 2004. Reports of its last test in March 2010 were successful, claiming its range and accuracy were on target with its projections.9
Footnotes
1. “Agni-I,” GlobalSecurity.org, available at
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/agni-i.htm, accessed on 16 July 2010.
2.
Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, January 2009) 54.
3.
ibid. 4. ibid 56.
5. “Agni I,” a project of Bharat Rakshak, available at
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/ballistic/agni-i.html, accessed on 16 July 2010
6.
Jane’s, 56.
7. Rahul Bedi, "New Delhi Successfully Tests Agni 1A Missile,"
Jane's Defence Weekly, 14 July 2004.
8. Jane’s, 56.
9. “Agni-1 short range ballistic missile successfully test-fired,” The Times of India, 28 March 2010, available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agni-1-short-range-ballistic-missile-successfully-test-fired/articleshow/5734936.cms, accessed on 16 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 Tests Agni-1
October 24, 2007 :: Spacewar.com :: News
On October 24, India successfully test fired its nuclear-capable Agni-1 ballistic missile from a test range in the eastern state of Orissa. The test is the second this month, following an earlier October 5 launch. The Agni-1 has a range of 700 kilometers (420 miles), making it capable of striking at most targets within Pakistan. The launch was conducted by India's recently-established strategic armed forces, signaling Agni-1's official induction into the million-plus military, defense experts said. "It is a major success," the official added. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Testing - Foreign, India
» Missile details: Agni (technical demonstrator), Agni-1
India Tests Agni-1
October 5, 2007 :: News
On October 5, India successfully test fired the short-range variant of its nuclear-capable Agni-1 ballistic missile which can strike most targets in rival Pakistan, a defence official said. The Agni-1, which has a range of 700km, was launched from Wheeler Island at mid-morning off the eastern state of Orissa, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-1
