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India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Aghni-5 missile

NEW DELHI, Jan 18 -- Defence sources said on Thursday that India has successfully test-fired its nuclear capable Agni-5 ballistic missile with a strike range of 5,000 kms from a test range in Balasore, off the coast of East Indian state of Odisha.
The Press Trust of India said quoting an official from the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which is responsible for developing Indian missiles that the surface-to-surface Agni-5 was fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Abdul Kalam Island at around 9.30 AM.
The sources said that all radars and tracking systems monitored the flight of the missile which traveled 19 minutes and covered 4,900 km.
The missile which successfully completed its trial was programmed in such a way that it will turn towards earth after reaching the peak to continue its downward journey towards the target with more speed with the help of gravitational pull.
This is the fifth testing of Agni-5 as the first one was carried out in April 2012 and the last one in December 2016.
Agni-5, with 50 tonnes and 17-meters long, is considered the most advanced missile in the Indian armory.
Apart from Agni-5, India owns Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-II with 2000 km range, Agni-3 with 2,500 km and Agni-4 to more than 3,500 range. (end).
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