NEW DELHI - IndiaÂ’s longest-range ballistic missile, which proved to be a dud after a test-flight in July, will be re-tested next year, the countryÂ’s chief military scientist announced on Thursday. M. Natarajan, head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said the 3,500-kilometre range (2,710-mile) Agni-III (Fire) missile would not be scrapped because of the flop. | Has the range to reach deep into China. For example. |
An Agni-III prototype blasted off July 9 and after travelling vertically 12 kilometres (7.4 miles), veered off course and crashed into the sea without hitting its designated target. The failure was attributed to a snag in a strapped-on solid fuel booster rocket. Natarajan said DRDO scientists were working to remove the glitches.
“We will transfer technology to units which are manufacturing components of the missile,” he said, adding a new alloy being used in its casing would increase the missile’s range further.