Image of Agni P's successful flight testing on June 28 (Image via Twitter/@DRDO_India).The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a statement, said that India successfully tested-fired its next-generation, nuclear-capable Agni Prime missile. It was launched from a defense base off the Odisha coast.At 10.55 AM, the missile was fired from a mobile launcher near Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. The missile's trajectory was tracked by sophisticated radars and telemetry at the coast.DRDO stated in a statement that the nuclear-capable missile met all mission objectives with high accuracy.Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, congratulated DRDO on the successful test. He noted that the missile was in a textbook trajectory and met all mission objectives with high accuracy."Congratulations @DRDO_India on the successful maiden flight test of Agni P advanced version of Agni Class of Missiles. Singh tweeted that he was proud of the team's efforts in this mission.The importanceAgni Prime (or simply Agni) is a successor to Agni I and Agni II missiles currently in operational service by the Strategic Forces Command.This sleek new missile features significant improvements in the form a composite motor casing, manoeuvrable and maneuverable re-entry vehicle, as well as improved propellants and navigation and guidance system.The DRDO developed the surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile that can travel 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres.It is the seventh missile currently under development or developed as part of the Agni series.Agni-I's range is 7001,200 km. Agni-II can travel distances of 2,000 to 3,500 km. All missiles in the series Agni-III have a range between 3,0005,000 km and Agni-IV are at 3,5004,000 km. Agni-V is at 5,0008,000km.Agni-VI is an intercontinental ballistic weapon (ICBM), with a range 11,00012,000 km.The advanced variant Agni -P fills in the gap between Agni I and Agni II.Agni-P, like other similar products, can be launched with mobile launchers. This successful test comes at a moment when India is experiencing increased tensions towards China.Indian defense forces are keen to increase their capabilities quickly, with strategic weapons like ballistic missiles seen as a key component in conflict deterrence.The border tensions escalated to the clash in eastern Ladakh last year and the violent confrontation in the Galwan valley in June 2020, which led to huge armed mobilization on both the sides. India and Pakistan engaged in a border skirmish in February 2019. This involved cross-border air strikes, gunfire and exchanges following the Pulwama terror attacks.
