Nuclear-Capable Agni-4 IRBM Missile Successfully Tested

The Agni-4, a surface-to-surface missile developed by the DRDO(Defence Research and Development Organisation), was successfully tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, on 6 September 2024. This was the ninth test of the nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Agni-4. 

The test was a user test under the Strategic Forces Command. All the nuclear weapons of India are under the Strategic Forces Command. Agni IV missile, which can carry nuclear weapons, will come under the  Strategic Forces Command.

Development of Agni-4 Missile 

DRDO started the Agni-4 missile development programme in 2007. The missile was being developed to strengthen India’s nuclear deterrence capability against China and Pakistan.

The first test of the Agni-4 missile took place on December 10, 2010, which was a failure.

The Strategic Forces Command's first user trial took place on 2 December 2014 and was a success. 

The test in September 2024 was the fifth user trial under the Strategic Forces Command.

Technical Specification of Agni-4 Missile 

The Agni-4 is a two-stage, solid-fueled, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

It is a surface-to-surface missile with a range of up to 4000 km.

The missile weighs 17,000 kg and can be launched from a road-mobile launcher.

It is 20 meters long and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its payload is 1000 kg.

The missile is accurate to less than 100 meters circular error probable (CEP) at a range of 4,000 km.

Types of Missile based on Range 

The range of surface-to-surface missiles is classified as short, medium, intermediate, and intercontinental.

There is no international consensus on categorising missiles based on their range. According to the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs, the  most prevalent categorisation of missiles are as follows:

• Short Range: Upto 1000 Km
• Medium range: 1000 km to 3000 Km. 
• Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile: 3000-5,500 Km
• Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM): more than 5,500 Km. 

DRDO Chairman: Dr Samir V Kamath