Modi lauds Indian scientists on successful test fire of Agni-V

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Indian scientists on the successful test fire of Agni-V from Chandipur Test Range in Balasore district off Odisha coast.

While addressing a rally here Modi said: "I congratulate Indian scientists on the successful test fire of Agni-V."

Earlier in the day, India's Intercontinental surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni V capable of delivering nuclear warhead with high precision was successfully launched.

The missile took off at 8:50 am from Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Launch Complex at Wheelar's Island, off the coast of Odisha

All the systems and subsystems of the missile, such as the launch system, navigation system, control systems, rocket motors, the re-entry package etc. performed well.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony congratulated all the Scientists of DRDO and said that DRDO Scientists have made the country proud.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon also congratulated the scientists, and said that the event is a milestone in the long-range Missile era of India.

The Agni-V can carry a single nuclear warhead of over 1000 kg and can strike with precision targets in China and Europe.

The nuclear-capable missile is about 50-tonne in weight and 17.5-metre tall. It is a three-stage missile designed to carry a 1.5-ton warhead with a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles), allowing it the furthest reach among all Indian missiles.

Developed by DRDO, the first test flight of the Agni-V on April 19 last year was a phenomenal success after which India joined the select club of the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China who have such capabilities.