India successfully test-fires Agni-III missile
{{correction|date=July 11, 2006|explanation=See ''[[India's Agni-III test termed a "partial success".]]''}}

{{date|July 9, 2006}}

[[India]]'s most sophisticated {{w|Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile}} (IRBM) to date, the {{w|Agni-III|Agni III}} was test-fired off the [[Orissa]] coast earlier today. The missile took off from a fixed platform at the Integrated Test Range at {{w|Wheeler Island, India|Wheeler Island}} at 11:05 IST (05:35 GMT) in the presence of Defence Minister [[Pranab Mukherjee]] and his scientific advisor M. Natarajan. 

[[Image:Agni-II missile (Republic Day Parade 2004).jpeg|right|300px|thumb|The Agni-II missile being displayed on a mobile launcher during the 2004 Republic Day parade.]]

The missile took off vertically into space before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down near {{w|Nicobar Island}} in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Three sophisticated radars, six electro-optical tracking systems and three telemetric data stations on the mainland at Dhamra, Chandipur and the Andamans, together with a ship anchored near the splash-down point monitored the missile's trajectory. According to eyewitnesses, the missile blasted off into the sky leaving behind a trail of thick yellow smoke and disappeared out of sight into the clouds within seconds. 

The Agni-III, which has a range of 3,500 km and can carry up to 1000 kg of payload, has been described as the most powerful missile developed by India's {{w|Defence Research and Development Organisation}}. The missile, which is 16 metres long and has a diametre of 1.8 metres, has solid fuel boosters and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. The Agni-I and Agni-II, which were the earlier versions of the Agni series developed under the {{w|Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme}} (IGMDP), have already been inducted into the Indian Army. Boosters for the earlier two missiles had been provided by the {{w|Indian Space Research Organisation}}, however, the Agni-III uses an entirely new booster vehicle.

{{haveyoursay}}
==Sources== 
*{{source|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/agni3-missile-successfully-test-fired/15003-3.html|title=Agni-III missile test-fired|author=|pub=CNN-IBN|date=9 July 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/articleshow/1717716.cms|title=Agni III test-fired|author=|pub=TimesNow|date=9 July 2006}}

  

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[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Odisha]]
[[Category:Bay of Bengal]]
[[Category:Pranab Mukherjee]]

[[de:Indien testete neue Mittelstreckenrakete]]
India's most sophisticated Agni-III|Agni III was test-fired off the Orissa coast earlier today. The missile took off from a fixed platform at the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island at 11:05 IST (05:35 GMT) in the presence of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his scientific advisor M. Natarajan. 

The Agni-II missile being displayed on a mobile launcher during the 2004 Republic Day parade.

The missile took off vertically into space before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down near  in the Bay of Bengal. Three sophisticated radars, six electro-optical tracking systems and three telemetric data stations on the mainland at Dhamra, Chandipur and the Andamans, together with a ship anchored near the splash-down point monitored the missile's trajectory. According to eyewitnesses, the missile blasted off into the sky leaving behind a trail of thick yellow smoke and disappeared out of sight into the clouds within seconds. 

The Agni-III, which has a range of 3,500 km and can carry up to 1000 kg of payload, has been described as the most powerful missile developed by India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), have already been inducted into the Indian Army. Boosters for the earlier two missiles had been provided by the , however, the Agni-III uses an entirely new booster vehicle.
Asia India Politics and conflicts Nuclear weapons Odisha Bay of Bengal Pranab Mukherjee