Agni-V test-fired successfully: 10 things about the nuclear-capable missile

Delhi, India

India test-fired Agni-V missile from launch pad no 4 of integrated test range (ITR) earlier today.

The test-fire successfully took place from the Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast.

Here is a quick look at what makes today's launch significant and what does the missile stand for.

1. Agni-V is touted as the most advanced missile in the Agni series.

2. With a range of around 5000 kilometres, it is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

3. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes.

4. The missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

5. The first test of Agni-5 was conducted on April 19, 2012.

6. Agni-V subsequent tests took place on September 15, 2013, January 31, 2015, and on December 26, 2016 from the same base.

7. Once fired, the missile is unstoppable and is known to travel faster than a bullet. 

8. The 17-metre-tall missile can reach around 800 kilometres above the earth's surface. 

9. Agni-V is India's first 5,000-kilometre range missile launched.

10. The ballistic missile is capable of launching small satellites.

Agni-V was test-fired from a canister launcher at 9:53 am IST. The officials described the trial as "fully successful". The missile was reported to have travelled for 19 minutes covering 4,900 km.