| Country: |
India |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Basing: |
Railcar mobile |
| Length: |
20.00 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, railcar-mobile, solid- and liquid-propellant ballistic missile. It was developed to counter India's threats from both China and Pakistan, although sources indicate that its development was instigated by recent Chinese missile advances.
India began work on the Agni-2 in 1997. In its present configuration, the missile is 20.0 m in length with a diameter of 1.3 m in the first and second stages. The payload uses four moving control fins in order to maneuver independently during the terminal phase, and 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. It has a minimum range of 500 km (311 miles) and a maximum range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles), with an accuracy of 40 m CEP.
At present, the range of the Agni-2 is significantly greater than that needed to strike targets within all of Pakistan, athough its range falls short of primary targets within China. Thus, the missile was most likely designed as a tactical asset against China or Pakistan. The Agni-2's main strength is its relatively high accuracy, especially at close range, due to its combination of an internal guidance system, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, and radar correlation. At the same time, the Agni-2 has less value as a counter force weapon, due to the fact that Pakistani and Chinese missiles are mobile and hidden.
The Agni-2 underwent its first flight test in April 1999 from Wheeler's Island, near Orissa in the Bay of Bengal. The test was conducted from a railcar launcher. In 2001, the Agni-2 was tested from a mobile launch vehicle. That same year, approximately five Agni-2 missiles became operational, with a production rate of around 10 missiles per year. There is another long-range version of the Agni-2 that has yet to be flight-tested. It is anticipated that the range of this upgraded version, the Angi-2A missile, will be around 3,500 km (2,175 miles).(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 49-52; GlobalSecurity.org, “India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems,” available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/agni.htm, accessed on 19 May 2005.
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, 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-2
