Context:
Recently, a successful training launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Agni-1 was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Agni-1 Missile
- About IGMDP
About Agni-1 Missile:
- Agni-1 is a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 700-900 km.
- It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile.
- The missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with an estimated payload of 1,000 kg.
- The latest upgrade to Agni-1 includes a new guidance system for improved accuracy and a new warhead for increased destructive power.
- It is road-mobile, providing high mobility and making it difficult to target by enemies.
- The first test-firing of Agni-1 took place in 2002.
- The Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command deployed the missile in 2007.
- Agni-1 originated from India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) initiated in 1983.
About IGMDP:
- IGMDP was a comprehensive missile development program in India started in 1982-83.
- The program was led by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and managed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence.
- The program aimed to develop a range of Indian guided missiles.
- The types of missiles developed under IGMDP included:
- Short Range Surface to Surface Missile (SSM) ‘Prithvi’
- Long Range Surface to Surface Missile (SSM) ‘Agni’
- Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) ‘Akash’
- Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) ‘Trishul’
- Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM) ‘Nag’
-Source: The Hindu
