An upcoming 'user test' of Agni-II at the Wheelers Island test range between November 3 and 8 may well be a developmental test after extensive redesign of the missile. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsOctober 22, 2009, (Sawf News) - An upcoming 'user test' of Agni-II at the Wheelers Island test range between November 3 and 8 may well be a developmental test after extensive redesign of the missile.
Agni-II is a two-stage solid propellant ballistic missile with a range of 1,550-1,860 miles carrying a 2,200 lbs warhead.
On paper the Agni-II missile is operational and equips the Strategic Forces 555 Missile Group, but in reality the missile, which has been tested just four times in the past 10 years, is still under development.
Of a total of four tests so far - on April 11, 1999, January 17, 2001, August 29, 2004 and May 19, 2009 – the last was a failure. The missile wandered 180 degrees off track and plunged into the sea after 127 seconds having covered 203 km.
A newly developed missile, successfully tested just three times in a decade cannot be operational.
In 2008 there were news reports that a new version of Agni II is being developed under the stewardship of Dr Tessy Thomas, 45, who had been appointed project director in May 2008.
Tessy was earlier associate project director of the 3,000-km range Agni-III project.
Clearly Tessy and her team have been hard a work and a test of what they have come up with would be due by now.
Another reason why I am inclined to believe the missile is still under development – Its size is changing dramatically.
Earlier Agni-II was reported to be a 17 ton missile with a diameter of 1m and length of 20 m.
The press is now reporting it as 19 ton with a diameter of 1.3 m and length of 21 m.
Here is an extract from the report linked above
"Defence sources said the Agni-II missile…is 21-meter long and 1.3 meter in diameter. It weighs 19 tonne and is designed to carry "special weapons" nuclear payload of over 1,000 kg."
There is, of course, the possibility that the reporter, editor and the source were singularly or collectively off medication.
More seriously, Agni-II was originally developed as a two stage solid propellant missile that could carry a 1000 kg warhead. However, since its conception and design, India developed and tested lighter nuclear warheads that packed the same amount of punch, allowing the missile to carry some extra propellant.
The missile is now rumored to carry extra fuel and a high altitude motor in its re-entry vehicle to allow for greater range or maneuvering.
The reference to "special weapons" and on-board thrusters in the Indian Express report linked above probably alludes to a maneuvering or extended range warhead.
I may or may not be right in concluding that a new version of Agni II is under development but I feel I am on firm ground in claiming that the Agni II missile is not operational as more than one ministers have told the Indian Parliament.
So why do our politicians lie to the nation and its parliament, that too in matters concerning security?
For more details and updates on the project please see my Agni-II knol
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