DRDO Postpones First Canister Launch Of Agni Missile

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) postpone the first canister-based launch of the long range nuke-capable missile Agni-V as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not available to witness the trail.

The 5,000 km inter-continental range ballistic missile was initially planned to be test-fired in December but was deferred and scheduled any time between January 7 and 12 as per the convenience of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The missile was to be tested from the launching complex-IV of the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

Scientists from different DRDO laboratories of the nation had also arrived at the test facility for integrating the missile components and necessary preparations.

But the test was postponed as the defence organisation did not receive any confirmation from Prime Minister's Office (PMO) regarding his visit.

The Prime Minister's diplomatic calendar in January is dominated by the visit of US President Barack Obama as chief guest for the Republic Day, Modi will not be available prior to January 26, The New Indian Express Reported.

"The DRDO scientists and members of the mission team who had arrived here for the test firing have left. The test will be again rescheduled as per the convenience of the Prime Minister. The test is most likely to be conducted in the first week of February," said a defence official.

The Agni-V missile rail and road mobile versions have been tested earlier twice. The three-stage Agni-V has developed guidance systems that the DRDO has ever built to enable it to strike targets at great distance with accuracy.