A surface-to-surface Agni V missile is displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
"The test was successful," said Ravi Kumar Gupta, spokesman for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). "It hit the target in a predefined trajectory. It met all the mission objectives"
A video distributed by the DRDO showed the Agni-V rocket blasting off from a forest clearing on an island off India's east coast state of Odisha.
India is trying to keep up with China's growing military strength and wants to have a viable deterrent against its larger nuclear-armed neighbor.
The two countries have generally warm relations, but they fought a brief Himalayan war in 1962 and a buildup of conventional defenses along their disputed border is a source of tension.
The Agni-V is the most advanced version of the indigenously built Agni, or Fire, series, part of a program that started in the 1960s. Earlier versions could reach old rival Pakistan and western China.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan is increasing its arsenal of nuclear warheads and developing short-range, tactical nuclear weapons, raising concern about an escalating South Asian arms race, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said on Thursday.
The think-tank said in a report the race with Pakistan was increasing the risk of a nuclear exchange during a conventional conflict, perhaps sparked by an act of terrorism.
The Agni-V missile was first tested in April 2012. It is mostly domestically built and has a range of about 5,000 km. Only the UN Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.
Gupta said India was now ready to start a process of production and subsequent induction of the missile.
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@Arsal bro, And we'll wipe out Pakistan from the world's map; not a single Pakistani will be left alive. Since India is the only country for Hindus, we'll do anything to protect it and take revenge. We'll also nuke your Makka-Madina and all Muslim countries before being destroyed. And remember Agni-5 can reach the whole Arab world. Mind it.
Pakistan is a Muslim country and there are many muslim countries in the world. but India is the only Hindu country so in case of any Nuclear conflict with india Pakistan will distroy the only country of hindus and No hindu will remain to live but Muslims will remain live in world.
Pakistan is our country and we can Do every thing for our beloved country. Mind it
@blablabli: Realy AIDS reducing in india....???? but gang rape is increasing. many separatist movements are in progress. and ur government is making history of cruelty in Kashmir. think brother with cool mind.
@yangwei Have a look India, the heads of state of the United States from Italy, from the central bank governor, a native of India people are idiot.
You dont make sense in English, most probably you dont make sense in Chinese either but please type in Chinese, atleast we can get it translated coherently to english using google language tools.
@Muneeb: So0 bad..;). But for whom?
@Ali Tanoli:
Brother, this is the most surreal prose I ever came across.
I know in your IQ to understand what I am saying is very difficult. Have a look India, the heads of state of the United States from Italy, from the central bank governor, a native of India people are idiot. Also, I am an ordinary Chinese, living in the northeast of China, the reason why I don't say here is often I have their own national language, I don't like english. I love Pakistan's brother, so I will have a look often. In fact I believe that the ability of Pakistan brothers, although they than India is weak, but they still tenacious resistance to the invasion of India. To pay tribute to the Pakistan brothers.
@yangwei:
Good name for a Pakistani! You are fooling no one by your disguise. But, thanks for the laugh!
For the taller than the Himalayas, deeper than the Indian Ocean, sweeter than honey, stronger than steel friend ...
Hotter than Fire (Agni V) missiles launched by India!
@yangwei: If you are a real Chinese,watch out for the door bro...The Red Army is about to come and lock your entire family in prison camps for trying to access a news website other than the state controlled Xinhua ....
Pakistanis are angry , even though this is not intended for them . I can understand their agony and anger. I urge you to cool down.We should respect each other.
@yangwei: I bet you are not a Chinese. Lived in Tianjin for four years I know pretty well their style of writing. So far I've not come across any Chinese that call Pakistanis as brother. At the most they only state China and Pakistan share good friendship..try some other antics..
@yangwei
I think Pakistan’s brother, can solve its own problems.
So you mean that Pakistan solved its own problems in 1971 by surrendering and losing half its territory?
See people say no Chinese, could not help. What I'm trying to say... You're wrong. I'm Chinese I think Pakistan's brother, can solve its own problems. Of course, if there is a very difficult problem, China and Pakistan will help each other, China will help Pakistan, Pakistan will also help China, etc.. To pay tribute to the Pakistan brothers!
@Tom: China did not step in to help Pakistan in 1965" 1971 or 1999. Now when the trade between India Andy China is 15 times what it was in 1999, there is no chance China will step in to support Pakistan, missile or no missile.
@PAKisTani: The greater implications of this missile is lost on the pakistani imbiciles like you.!!. Your countrymen always say China is your great friend and come to your aid in a great war, but now China have to stay away from or get nuked for helping you. Think rather than shouting stupidity for once.!!!. With one missile India has neutralised China's help for you in any war between pakistan and India. Understand the repecrussions for pakisatni nation and its military.!!!
The civilized world not doing hoo haa haa monkey on India test of 5 thousand km test ???? double standerd double face double kufr. I am wondering if it was Pakistan or turkey were there then????
Nothing like a missile to get all the Poop Counters excited.
In the next few days Pakistan will say it has test fired a missile with just a Photoshop still photo. All Pakistanis will forget their miseries and rejoice.
@Pakistani: Two nations theory: One Nation has large number of poor people, malnourished and no toilet, less happy people, more social (health and education) budget and less defense budget in relation to GDP and the other nation has every thing opposite of first nation.
and pakistani missiles have range upto kolkata or any distant part of india. . So no need to get worried. . !
@Parvez
…..one thing is established no Chinese reads this ET site and even if they do they never let on……….. smart lot the Chinese.
Nope, they cannot read english, so they translate into chinese Example: http://www.ltaaa.com/wtfy/8756.html
@PAKisTani: Do Pakistanis just focus on toilets of world ? Man your bar is really sad.
@PAKisTani: You are correct according to UNICEF survey 58% of open defecators in the world come from India and 54% of the Indians practice open defecation. As Rural development Mr Jairam Ramesh said this is a matter of shame to India and government is implementing several programs to stop it Pakistan contributes 5% of open defecators in the world because of its smaller population but 28% of Pakistani population practice open defecation ( UNICEF SURVEY)
This figures are nothing to be proud of in both countries . Only difference is that Indians acknowledge the problem while Pakistan does not seem to be aware of the problem in its midst
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/With-58-figures-India-tops-in-open-defecation/articleshow/10200781.cms?
India does not have a news paper? It seems like that all the indians send there post to Pakistani news papers, specially ET.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/604594/japan-to-be-nuclear-free-as-last-reactor-switched-off/
They know what nukes can do; we are gloating over these toys!!
@PAKisTani: Here comes another Pakistani with India's toilet statistics? Why you Pakistanis always obsessed with Indian Toilets ?
@PAKisTani:
"Is anybody really surprised that nearly half of India’s 1.2 billion people have no toilet at home?"
I think you misunderstand the lack of toilets as a deprivation.
If you have half a brain, then think about why someone who lives in villages surrounded by nature need a toilet? He can as well straight away provide manure to his plants, while enjoying fresh air in an open, fly-free environment.
@Pakistani: But we are not a terrorist...
@Pravej:But they do read TOI and Hindustan Times..
@PAKisTani: I feel really happy to see a Pakistani too concerned about toilets in India. While India keeps progressing slowly and steadily in every field, all you can do is think of India's toilets. You are one noble citizen of Pakistan which is fast developing to be a 7th century world power! P.S. You should suggest Pakistan's National Assembly to condemn this missile test by India and to try to buy more better (cough) weapons from China to display your Pakistani strength to the world, so all news media around the world will write about it like they do about the weak India.
@Pakistani, spot on mate. That's got to hurt.
@PAKisTani: Yes friend I am sad too. I am also very envious towards each and every Pakistani who has such swanky and modern toilets. In 1947, before partition, mostly the entire rural India went to the fields but India is where it was but Pakistan has really progressed. We will try harder.. thanks.
PAKisTani : Why you are warry for Indian's toilets and GDP.
.....one thing is established no Chinese reads this ET site and even if they do they never let on........... smart lot the Chinese.
The complex of the minuscule imposes a reactive ego which needs constant nourishment of things larger and bigger. That is the complex of a small hearted India, that should choose China over Pakistan as their enemy since they are big boys now and keep jumping above their reach to hold on to where big boys actually exist. This is a god-given curse of the smallness of size - heart and gumption of course. See them clamoring now for the longest ladder. Soon, the entire world is going to go adter them, and they will succumb like all small people. Tch,tch.
@khalsa: OK you can think like that if it makes you happy.
@Pakistani: My Reply to you, Must Read by every Pakistani. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanandstatesponsoredterrorism
@PAKisTani::"Is anybody really surprised that nearly half of India’s 1.2 billion people have no toilet at home? Since you Quoted BBC, you should have also mentioned that it was published/broadcast on 16 March 2012. And just a piece of advice, just look at the events in your own country and stop looking eastwards,since you are of Arab descent. :)
@PAKisTani: In India we have a huge population and we have huge troubles associated with it. Our Governments in India may be corrupt but they have identified many areas where improvements are needed and we are addressing them one by one. Your county ( PAKistan ) is a tiny country in fromt of India with a very small population, BUT is not doing good in any area, Why ? Your Forex Reserves are negligible, Trade is all time low, Economy is all time low, Poor Health Care, Poor Education, Huge Loans from IMF and World Bank, Dengue, Polio, Rape, Terrorism, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Did you forget that ?
A 2010 report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) states that 8 Indian states have more poor people than 26 poorest African nations combined which totals to more than 410 million poor in the poorest African countries.[3][4] A 2013 UN report stated that a third of the worlds poorest people live in India.[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PovertyinIndia
@PAKisTani: Good News for India. Bad news for Pakistan and China. Hail to the bound slavery in Pakistan by Zamindars and Jagirdars. You don't need sophisticated Missiles. Best of Luck with Terrorism eating you like termites. May Allah give you the sight and strength for better tomorrow.( HopEFuLLy !!)
In pakistan, terrorism and AIDS are most rapidly growing things. while in India, AIDS is reducing fastly. pakistan proud of rising AIDS against Inia's reduction of AIDS numbers.
polio in pakistan increasing.. paki polio in turbo mode
@Pakistani: despite of world's one third malnutrition, paki HDI is worse than India's paki HDI is worse than India's
@LaLaki: during last test, flight time was 16 minutes, not this time it took more than that means increase in rangeeven further than that of first test..
@PAKisTani: The percentage figure for pakistan is also the same. Kindly re educate yourself. Entire south asia is mess
Despite India's 50% increase in GDP since 1991, more than one third of the world's malnourished children live in India. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MalnutritioninIndia
@PAKisTani Actually i am more surprised that you are worrying so much for a missile which is not even made for you.
Is anybody really surprised that nearly half of India's 1.2 billion people have no toilet at home? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17377895
BRAVO !!!
This drop-dead gorgeous is for our enemy's closest friend.
This is a tribute to china and range is not given correct...from my official sources...the range actually is 6500km......see the size of this..man....
perfect.... coming up agni 6 ... range : 10k km ..... payload more than 3 tonnes witth MIRV capabiity....watch it!! :)
Bejing bye, bye.