India on Thursday carried out a successful training launch of the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1 from the APJ Abdul Kalam Islands that validated all operational and technical parameters of the strategic weapon.

The test was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command, responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and nuclear assets.

''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, on June 1,'' read the statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

''The missile is a proven system, capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile,'' the statement further read.

15 meters long, the Agni-1 missile can carry a payload of up to 1,000. The Agni- series of missile systems provide credible nuclear deterrence to India against its adversaries like Pakistan and China.

The Agni-1 missile is part of the Agni series of missiles, which includes the Agni-1 (700km), Agni-2 (2000), Agni-3 (3000), Agni-4 (4000), and the Agni-5 with a range of 5,000 km.

Earlier in December 2022, India successfully carried out the launch of the Agni-5 missile.

The nuclear-capable Agni series of missiles are surface-to-surface missiles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It is a state-of-the-art missile propelled by a solid rocket propellant system. The missile is equipped with a special navigation system to ensure pin-point precision targeting.

In April, India successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile from a ship off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal as part of its ambitious ballistic missile defence programme.

The purpose of the trial of the sea-based missile was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat, thereby elevating India into an elite club of nations having such a capability.

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