Context: Recently, India successfully tested the short-range ballistic missile Agni-1 from the Integrated Test Range in Balasore, Odisha.
Agni-1 Missile
- It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
- It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a heavy payload but can travel up to 1200 km with lighter payloads, which makes it a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).
- Range: 700 km- 1200 km
- It is powered by a solid-propellant booster based on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) SLV-3.
- Its nuclear-capable road-mobile missile was first deployed by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command in 2007.
- The Agni-I is designed to be launched from rail-based platforms or road-mobile transporter erector launchers (TELs).
- The Agni missile series includes missiles I–V, with the most advanced, Agni-V. In addition to the Agni-V, India currently has the following Agni missiles: Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, and Agni-IV and Agni Prime.
- The Agni-I originated from India’s 1983 Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).