New Delhi: Amid heightened tension with China at the LAC, India successfully test fired Agni- 5 intercontinental nuclear capable ballistic missile that has a notified operational range of 5,500 plus kilometers.
The missile was test fired on Thursday from Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
Several people in capital Cuttack as well as some other north eastern states posted videos of the missile travelling in the sky on social media.
With a lighter warhead, the Agni 5 missile can even travel upto 8000 kilometers keeping almost entire China within its striking range.
Calling it a 'historical milestone', Union Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote on Twitter that "The missile will add great value to the defense and strengthen national security to a greater extent as it can travel 5400+ plus kilometres."
Agni-5 missile is equipped with compact avionics to ensure high level of reliability and precision.
It has the ability to guide itself for in-flight disturbances.
Earlier in June this year, India successfully test fired Agni-4, an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile with a strike range of 4,000 kilometers. (UNI)