| Country: |
India |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Basing: |
Railcar/ Road mobile |
| Length: |
20 m |
| Diameter: |
1.30 m |
| Launch Weight: |
16000 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 1000 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 150 or 200 kT, HE, chemical, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage solid |
| Range: |
2000-3500 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
2001 |
Details
The Agni-2 is an intermediate-range, rail/road-mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile. Development on the missile began in July 1997 after the original Agni missile program was canceled in 1996. The Agni-2 borrows heavily from the original program’s missile, though it uses a two-stage solid-propellant motor instead of the two-stage liquid/solid-propellant motor employed by its predecessor.1 The range of the missile would allow India to attack all of Pakistan and parts of China; some suggest that the reinitiating of the Agni missile project was instigated by Chinese and Pakistani missile advances.2
In its present configuration, the missile is 20 m in length with a diameter of 1.3 m in the first and second stages. The third stage, the payload, carries a warhead weighing up to 1,000 kg. The Agni-2 can be fitted with 150 or 200 kT yield nuclear warheads, in addition to chemical, high-explosive, and submunitions versions. Fully loaded, the missile has an official maximum range of 2000 km, though if carrying a reduced payload, it can achieve a maximum range of 3,500 km.3 The range of the Agni-2 is significantly greater than that needed to strike targets within all of Pakistan, although its range falls short of primary targets within China.4
The Agni-2's main strength is its relatively high accuracy, especially at close range, due to its combination of an INS/GPS guidance module and dual-frequency radar correlation. The third stage uses four moving control fins in order to maneuver independently during the terminal phase, though newer models may use side thrust motors instead. It has been reported to have an accuracy of 40 m CEP (circular error probability).5
The missile is carried and launched by rail/road vehicles (TELs) which give the weapon certain advantages and disadvantages. Preparation for launch from a TEL only takes about 15 minutes and the launch location can be moved to meet tactical demands; however, it has less value as a counter force weapon due to its lack of a sustainable protected launch base.6
The Agni-2 underwent its first flight test in April 1999 from Wheeler's Island in the Bay of Bengal. The test was conducted from a rail-car TEL. In 2001, the Agni-2 was tested from a road TEL. A third test, from a rail-car TEL, was made in August 2004.7 By the end of 2001, less than five Agni-2 missiles were operational, but their production rate from 2001-present is expected to be around 10 missiles per year. The missiles are operated by the 335 Missile Group at Secunderabad using 12 TEL vehicles.8
Footnotes
1. Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, January 2009) 55.
2. Ibid 53; “Technical tune to Agni test before talks,” The Telegraph, 30 August 2004, available at http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp, accessed on 16 July 2010.
3. Jane’s, 55.
4. “Agni II,” from Bharat Rakshak: The Consortium of Indian Military Websites, available at http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/ballistic/agni-ii.html, accessed on 16 July 2010.
5. Jane’s, 55.
6. “Agni II.”
7. “Technical tune to Agni test before talks.”
8. Jane’s, 56.
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
Indian Test of the Agni-II Falls Short
November 24, 2009 :: The Times of India :: News
Yesterday, India conducted a test of one of its intermediate range ballistic missiles, the Agni-II. The missile was launched from an island off of India's eastern coast, near the state of Orissa. The putative goal of the launch was to test missile components at night; the missile, with a range of over 2,000 km, made it through its launch phase and first-stage separation, but apparently failed shortly before the second-stage separation.
This marks yet another unsuccessful test for India's ballistic missile program, which has been faced with many setbacks in recent years. The test was, however, India's first attempt at a night-launch of one of its ballistic missiles, so in that sense can be considered a tactical step forward for the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India
» Missile details: Agni-2
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 Tests Agni II Missile; Report of Indian Missile Defense Work
August 29, 2004 :: Spacewar.com :: News
India today test launched its short range, nuclear capable Agni II ballistic missile. The missile was described in an Indian press release as having a range of 2,500 km, having a payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms, and the capability to be launched on either road or rail mobile launchers.
The Agni II was launched from a mobile launcher on Wheeler Island, near the eastern Orissa state. While the missile was described as having a range of 2,500 km, this particular test had the missile deliver its payload to a site only 1,200 km away. In fact, the Agni II has been estimated as having a range between 3,000 and 3,500 km.
The test marked the third test of the missile, developed by India’s Defense Research Development Organization. The two previous tests reportedly took place on April 11, 1999 and January 17, 2001. The missile was also described as having a length of twenty meters and a launch weight of 16 metric tons.
In addition, the PTI news agency in New Delhi reports that India has already begun to operationally deploy both its 700km-range Agni I missiles, and the 2500km range Agni II missiles. (In fact, around 5 Agni II missiles may already have been deployed since 2001; moreover, the Agni I designation most likely refers to what is also known as the “Agni Short Range,” or “Agni SR”; the original “Agni I” program was terminated.) The newly deployed missiles will join the short range Prithvi missiles already in service. India’s “top scientist Dr. V.K. Atre” is cited for the deployment announcement, saying that “We have completely developed systems for these two missiles and a certain number of them have been delivered to the army.” The first test of the much longer range Agni III missile is also expected later this year, according to Indian reports.
The same news item, however, also indicates that India is working on its own missile defenses:
Retiring after a tenure of over five years in the top post, Atre said that along with developing short, medium and longer range missiles, Indian scientists were also working on developing an anti-missile defence system as well as airborne early warning system.
India has previously expressed interest in purchasing U.S., Russian, and even Israeli missile defense systems, but this is perhaps the first report that India may have its own programs. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni (technical demonstrator), Agni-2
India Tests Prithvi II Missile, Plans Agni III Test
March 19, 2004 :: London Guardian :: News
Pakistan and India continue to exchange missile tests. On Tuesday, March 9, Pakistan tested its Shaheen II nuclear capable missile. Pakistan shortly thereafter announced it would be making other tests during the year. Now today, on March 19, India responded with a test of its Prithvi II, also nuclear capable. And on March 23, India is reported to also be planning another test of its more advanced, 3000km range Agni III sometime in 2004. (Article, Link)
» Mar. 23: Wash. Times: India to test Agni III this year
» Oct. 2003: Agni III test originally postponed till January 2004
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-2, Prithvi SS-250
