Ballistic missile ”Agni-II” test fired from Wheeler island

Bhubaneswar: The user trial of the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-11 was successfully conducted from the launching complex-1V at the Wheeler’s Island near Dhamra off Orissa coast today.
After two consecutive success test flight of nuke capable Shourya missile on September 24 and Prithvi-II missile on September 26 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, the Agni-11 missile with a striking range of 2500 kms test was fired from the Wheeler Island at 0930 hrs.
The special unit of Army’s Strategic force command (SFC) conducted the launch of Agni-II missile in association of scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with the support of Integrated Test Range(ITR).
The Army has already deployed Agni-II in its arsenal.
Designed and developed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory, a unit of the DRDO, in Hyderabad, Agni-II, a 20 metre-long and two-stage surface-to-surface missile, powered by solid propellants, could carry nuclear warheads over a distance of 2,500 kms.
The missile, ITR sources said was part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGMDP) and has appropriate on-board thrusters fitted on the second stage of the missile.
Sources said the Agni-II carrying a payload of around 1,000 kg, could also neutralise a target at over 2,000 km range. The striking range could also be increased to 3,000 km depending upon the payload.