I think it is important to have a separate thread for Indian missile system, since it is an important leg of Indian triad of nuclear deterrence. Missile are also important tactical weapons.
With the recent failures of an otherwise assumed to be reliable Agni-2 missile system has seriously undermined Agni-2 deterrence value.
[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agni-II-missile-fails-to-clear-night-trial/articleshow/5262395.cms"]Agni-II missile fails to clear night trial[/url]
[url="http://www.timesnow.tv/Agni-II-missile-fails-to-clear-night-trial/articleshow/4332825.cms"]Agni-II missile fails to clear night trial[/url]
[url="http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=105847§ion_id=3' target='_blank'"]DRDO admits N-capable Agni-II failed night testing[/url]
With the recent failures of an otherwise assumed to be reliable Agni-2 missile system has seriously undermined Agni-2 deterrence value.
[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agni-II-missile-fails-to-clear-night-trial/articleshow/5262395.cms"]Agni-II missile fails to clear night trial[/url]
Quote:TNN 24 November 2009, 12:28am IST
BALASORE: India's nuclear-capable intermediate range Agni-II missile, test-fired for the first time after sunset on Monday, reportedly failed to get the desired results.
The Army test-fired the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) from Wheeler�s Island, Bhadrak district, around 7.50pm.��The liftoff and the first stage separation was smooth. But it faltered just before the second stage separation and behaved erratically, deviating from its coordinated path. Further analysis is on to ascertain the cause,�� said a source.
The entire trajectory of Monday�s trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and a naval ship.
The launch, originally scheduled in the first week of this month, was deferred due to some technical snags in its pneumatic system. Though the snags were rectified, another glitch surfaced during Monday�s test, leading to the fiasco, the source claimed.
The nuclear capable 2,000-km-plus range missile has a length of 20 meters, a diameter of one meter, weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg. It was first tested on April 11, 1999.
The test launch was significant from India's strategic point of view because for the first time since the beginning of DRDO�s missile development programme, a missile was put under trial during night. The user trial was conducted by Army officials while scientists from DRDO were present to provide necessary logistical support.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[url="http://www.timesnow.tv/Agni-II-missile-fails-to-clear-night-trial/articleshow/4332825.cms"]Agni-II missile fails to clear night trial[/url]
Quote:24 Nov 2009, 0859 hrs IST
In a set back for India's missile program, the nuclear-capable Agni-II missile, which was to be test fired for the first time at night on Monday (November 23), failed to get the desired results.
The Army test-fired the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from Wheelers Island, Bhadrak district, around 7.50pm on Monday.
According to sources, the liftoff and the first stage separation was smooth. But a snag developed just before the second stage separation and the missile deviated from its coordinated path.
The test launch was significant from India's strategic point of view as it was for the first time since the beginning of DRDOs missile development programme, a missile was tested in the night.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[url="http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=105847§ion_id=3' target='_blank'"]DRDO admits N-capable Agni-II failed night testing[/url]
Quote:CNN-IBN
BIG SHOW: Agni II missile is seen in a rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.
New Delhi: The first-ever night firing of the Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) on Monday failed, admitted Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
DRDO is investigating the cause of the failure.
The nuclear capable missile was test-fired on Monday night from the Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.
Agni-II was test-fired from a mobile launcher intended to train the end-user, the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army, to operate the missile in adverse conditions.
Even though the missile took-off smoothly and reported no glitch in the first stage separation, the missile appeared to have failed to meet the desired results mid-way at the second stage separation, DRDO sources said.
Strategic Forces Command conducted the test with necessary logistic support by various ITR laboratories and DRDO scientists.
The purpose of the test was to validate procedures for night firing.
The indigenous weapon is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile and has a weight of 17 tonnes and length of 20 metres. It can carry a payload of one tonne over a distance of 2,000 km.
Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated with Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad with the private sector participating in a big way in its production.
The missile is part of the Agni series which included Agni-I (700 km range) and Agni-III (3,500 km range). Agni-I was already inducted and Agni-III is in the process of induction, the officials added.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->