India successfully tested, Agni P, a new-generation nuclear missile

In a significant development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the premier agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in the Ministry of Defence, has achieved another milestone on December 18.

The agency, which is on a mission to give the Indian defence sector cutting edge technology, has successfully tested the new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’.

It was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha at 11:06 PM on Saturday. “Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and downrange ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters,” a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence said.

It added, “The missile followed textbook trajectory meeting all mission objectives with a high level of accuracy.”

According to the DRDO, the Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile and it has dual redundant navigation and guidance system.

A lot of advanced technologies have been integrated into the system and this second flight test has proven that all these are functioning reliably.

Congratulating Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that he is very happy to know that the flight test by the DRDO has been successful and the system has performed so excellently.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, who is Secretary in the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO hailed the excellent work of the team members and appreciated their efforts. “The team has done the second development flight trial with many additional features and I congratulate the team for the consecutive success within the same calendar year,” he said.