• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight tests of the New Generation Ballistic Missile “Agni Prime” from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

AGNI PRIME MISSILE

• Agni-P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system.
• It is a canisterised surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 1,000–2,000 km range capability.
• The Agni-P is an upgraded version of the Agni class that was developed as part of the IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme).
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation created the Agni Prime, also referred to as the Agni P, as a medium-range ballistic missile to replace the Agni-I and Agni-II missiles.
• In addition to the most recent navigation technologies, the missile has new composites, propulsion systems, and inventive guidance and control methods.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Program v  It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012. v  The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are: o   Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. o   Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (1,2,3,4,5) o   Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile. o   Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile. o   Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.

• It was tested for the first time in June 2021.
• It is the sixth missile in the Agni (missile) series of ballistic missile and lighter than all the earlier Agni series of missiles.

AGNI MISSILES

• Agni class of missiles are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability, which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft.
• Agni missiles are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with a great range and nuclear weapons capability.
• Under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), the Agni-I, the first missile in the series, was created and tested in
• Realising the strategic significance of the Agni missile programme after it was successful and separated from the IGMDP.
• In India’s defence budget, it was recognised as a special programme and received sufficient funding for future development. The Agni series of missiles is entering service as of November 2019.

RANGE OF AGNI MISSILES:

• Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km.
• Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
• Agni V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
• Agni VI: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of ICBM 11,000–12,000 km (Under development).