By Abdul Gani
GUWAHATI, India (AA) - India test fired a long range surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile on Monday, according to the national broadcaster All India Radio.
The Agni-IV missile can carry a 1 ton nuclear warhead over a distance of 4,000 kilometers (around 2,485 miles), the national broadcaster announced.
The missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was test fired from the Abdul Kalam (Wheeler) Island off Odisha coast at 11.50 a.m. local time (0620 GMT).
According to the PTI news agency, the missile is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and can correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.
“The most accurate Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System [RINS] and supported by highly-reliable Micro Navigation System [MINGS], ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two-digit accuracy,” the agency quoting sources from the DRDO said.
On Dec. 26, India launched another “successful” long range test of the Agni-V missile, which can hit targets 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) away.