Agni Prime (Agni-P)

Why in news?

• DRDO successfully test-fired indigenously-developed new generation medium-range ballistic missile Agni Prime (Agni-P) from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island at Odisha coast.

About Agni Prime (Agni-P):

• It is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant surface-to-surface ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system
• It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni series missiles (under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Development Program).
• With multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, the missile is capable of delivering a number of warheads at separate locations at a distance of 1,000 - 2,000 km.
• It carry warheads up to 1.5 tonne.
• It can perform high maneuvers while homing in on targets.
• It has a dual redundant navigation and guidance system.

Other Agni Class of Missiles:

• They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.Range of other Agni Missiles:
  • Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
  • Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
  • Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
  • Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
  • Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.

IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program):

• It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
• It was approved in 1983 and completed in 2012.
• The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
  • Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
  • Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile.
  • Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
  • Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding the proposed Agni Prime missile:

1.It is an Intercontinental Ballistic missile.

2.It has been developed by DRDO.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer