Test of nuclear-capable missile Agni II Plus fails

Agni II Plus, an upgraded version nuclear capable, medium range Agni II ballistic missile, failed in its maiden test on Friday, defence sources said.

Agni II Plus, an upgraded version nuclear capable, medium range Agni II ballistic missile, failed in its maiden test on Friday, defence sources said.

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The missile, having two stages fuelled by solid propellants, dropped off to the Bay of Bengal few seconds after it was launched at 10 am from the Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa, about 200 km east of Bhubaneswar.

Agni missiles series being developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) as a deterent against nuclear-armed neighbours are among India’s most sophisticated weapons.

It was not immediately clear why the test failed. The DRDO was investigating the matter, the source said. Normal Agni II range of missiles has a range of 2000-2500 km. The upgraded Agni II Plus has an improved navigation system with a range of 2500-3000.