| 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: |
860 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
The Agni-1 is a short-range, road-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.
The Agni-1 is 14.8 m long, 1.3 m in diameter of 1.3 m, with a launch weight of 12000 kg. At present, it has a range of 860 km (534 miles) with an impressive accuracy of 25 m CEP. By cutting the payload in half, the Agni-1 will most likely be able to extend its range to 1,200 km (746 miles), which encompasses all of Pakistan. Its maximum payload of 2000 kg can be equipped with a nuclear 20 kT yield 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 missile uses a single-stage solid propellant engine.
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. Although the Agni-SR 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.(1)
The Agni-1 began development in 1999 and was first tested in January 2002 from a TEL vehicle at the Interim Test Range on Wheelers' Island off India's eastern coast. It was tested the following year, and in 2004 as well. Dr. V. K. Atre, head of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), recently stated that all technical parameters set by the Army had been "fully met". It is believed that the Agni-1 missiles will be delivered to the 334 Missile Group.(2) Military sources indicate the missile is currently in production.(3)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 42 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2005), 82-84; GlobalSecurity.org, “India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems,” available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/agni.htm, accessed on 19 May 2005.
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 53.
- Rahul Bedi, “New Delhi Successfully Tests Agni 1A Missile,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, 14 July 2004.
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, 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
