Launch of Agni-V big step towards defence preparedness: Pallam Raju

Hyderabad, Apr 19 (ANI): Minister of State for Defence Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju on Thursday hailed the successful launch of Agni-V, saying this is a big step towards preparedness of the armed forces and a major deterrent.

"I think it's a very proud day for the country because Agni-V, which is a three-stage solid propellant rocket and intercontinental ballistic missile has been successfully test fired and it has met all the parameters. It's a big leap in our defence preparedness and it is a major deterrent," Dr. Raju told the media here.

"And I think we must congratulate all the scientists and the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the tremendous success. This definitely is a big step towards our preparedness and it's a big deterrent and as a country we can feel very proud about it," he added.

In a bid to join the super exclusive ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) club that counts just US, Russia, China, France and UK as its members, India test-fired for the first time its strategic missile, the over 5,000-km range Agni-V, from the Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha at around 8: 05 a.m. today.

The launch of Agni-V was delayed on Wednesday due to inclement weather at the test range in Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.

The test firing is a major leap forward in missile technology and military deterrent capability for the country.

India in November last tested the 3,500-km-range Agni-IV missile giving muscle to the country's deterrent capability against the military adversaries.

Agni-V is a solid fueled intercontinental ballistic missile. It will strengthen India's ability to strike targets well beyond 5,500 km away.

The nuclear-capable, three-stage Agni-V, about 50-tonne in weight and 17.5-metre tall, will become fully operational by 2014-2015. (ANI)