The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that they have successfully conducted the maiden launch of the Agni 5 intermediate range ballistic missile. The launch took place at 0237 GMT on 19 April from Wheelers Island off the East Coast of India. The three stage missile flew for nearly 20 minutes before reaching its target in the Indian Ocean.
The 17 metre long Agni 5 missile has a range of more than 5000 kilometres, a launch mass of 50 tonne and can carry a 1.1 tonne warhead. The missile is also claimed to be capable of launching micro and nano satellites into orbit and to also have an anti-satellite capability.
