The Hindu Business Line : Agni-III launched, develops snag

Successful launch
Today's flight test is the first of a series of at least three contemplated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
The missile is expected to be inducted into the defence forces sometime during 2008-09.

Hyderabad , July 9

Agni-III, the country's totally indigenous long-range missile, was launched today from the Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa at 11.03 a.m. The missile took off successfully from the launch pad of the integrated test range.

According to the Union Defence Ministry, the take off was smooth for the two-stage solid propellant powered Agni missile. The performance of the second stage, telemetry and other parameters, which were not available immediately, were being analysed by the mission team as a snag seems to have occurred.

Scientists are analysing the data and they would be able to get a clear picture only after 48 hours, according to sources.

Agni-III is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads as payload. It has a range of 3,000-3,500 km .

Today's flight test is the first of a series of at least three contemplated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).