India on Thursday carried out a test launch of a long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-5, which came days after a renewed clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the disputed Himalayan border.
Indian Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the successful launch of Agni-5 from Abdul Kalam Island in eastern Odisha state marked a “historic milestone” for the country’s defense industry.
“The missile will add great value to the defense and strengthen national security to a greater extent as it can travel 5400+ plus kilometers,” Joshi said on Twitter.
The Agni-5 uses a three-stage solid-fueled engine and is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometers (around 3,100 miles) with “very high degree of accuracy,” according to the Indian Ministry of Defense….