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Defence Minister AK Antony on Monday praised and congratualted the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the successful test-firing of the Agni-IV nuclear capable

ballistic missile. “The event is of greater significance since the system was tested in its deliverable configuration with the active participation of SFC personnel. The missile is now ready

for induction and its serial production will now begin” said Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence, who commanded the launch

sequence. He congratulated all the team members from DRDO and SFC. "Today’s launch takes India’s level of deterrence and its preparedness and effectiveness to newer heights. Seen

together with recent momentous events: the second launch of Agni 5, operational clearance of Tejas – Light Combat Aircraft, achieving the criticality of nuclear rector of India’s first

nuclear powered submarine ‘Arihant’, completion of development phase of underwater launched missile BO5 and development of mark II version of ‘Arjun – Main battle tank, it also reflects the

high maturity level of India’s capabilities in design development and leading to production, contemporary weapons and platforms for strengthening its deterrence and defence capabilities,”

said Chander. The missile, which has a targetted range of about 4000 kilometers, was successfully launched at 10.52 a.m. on Monday from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha. It was the

third consecutively successful trial and the last one in the series of development launches. The missile rose to a height of over 850 kilomters, covered the intended range in about 20

minutes, hit the target with two digit accuracy; meeting all mission objectives and proving the capabilities of the missile. The Agni-IV missile propelled by composite solid fuel rocket

motor technology was launched from its road mobile launcher indigenously developed by DRDO. The long range radars and Electro-Optical Tracking systems (EOTS) located all along the coast have

tracked and monitored all the parameters throughout the flight. Two ships located near the target point tracked the vehicle and witnessed the final event. Agni 4 is equipped with state of

the art Avionics, 5th generation On Board Computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for inflight disturbances. The most accurate Ring

Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant Micro Navigation System (MINGS), ensured the vehicle reach the target within two digit accuracy.

The re-entry heat shield withstood temperatures in the range of 4000 degree centigrade and made sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degree

centigrade. Agni 1, 2, 3 and Prithvi are already in the arsenal of armed forces, giving them reach of over 3000 km, giving India an effective deterrence capability. Dr VG Sekaran, DS &

DG (MSS) reviewed the launch activities and guided the team. Tessy Thomas, Project Director AGNI-IV led the team of scientists during the operation. Dr. DN Reddy, Chairman, RAC, S Sundaresh,

DS and DG ACE & CCR&D (SI&PC), Sibnath Som, Director DRDL, Dr Jayaraman, Director ASL, Shri MVKV Prasad, Director ITR, Dr Manmohan Singh, Directior VRDE, Dr Manjeet Singh,

Director TBRL witnessed the launch. Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, Chief Secretary and Shri Vipin Saxena, Principal Home Secretary, Odisha also witnessed the launch.