Agni-III

2022-12-23T08:53:34Z

103.83.154.190:

{{Short description|Indian intermediate-range ballistic missile}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = Agni-III
| image = Agni-III Republic day.jpg
| caption = 21 September 2012 Agni-III missile test
| origin = India
| type = [[Intermediate-range ballistic missile]]
| used_by = [[Strategic Forces Command]]
| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]
| unit_cost = {{INRConvert|250|m|0}} – {{INRConvert|350|m|0}}<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp | title = Technical tune to Agni test before talks | access-date = 2007-12-13 | work = The Telegraph| location=Calcutta, India | date=30 August 2004| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211004418/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp| archive-date= 11 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
| production_date =
| service = Active<ref name=agni5next>{{cite news|last=Subramanian|first=T.S.|title=Agni-V next|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20110325280610000.htm&date=fl2806/&prd=fline&|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=Frontline, [[The Hindu]]|year=2022}}</ref>
| weight = 50,000 kg<ref>{{cite news|title=India successfully test fires nuclear-capable Agni III ballistic missile|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-successfully-test-fires-nuclear-capable-agni-iii-ballistic-missile/|work=The Indian Express|agency=Press Trust of India|date=16 April 2022}}</ref>
| length = 17 m<ref name=yah>{{cite news|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100207/812/tnl-india-tests-long-range-nuclear-capab.html |title=India tests long-range nuclear-capable Agni-III missile |access-date=2010-02-07 |publisher=Yahoo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209013741/http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100207/812/tnl-india-tests-long-range-nuclear-capab.html |archive-date=9 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| diameter = 2.0 m<ref name=yah />
| wingspan =
| engine = Multi-stage [[Solid-propellant rocket|solid-propellant]]
| propellant = [[Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene]]<ref name="Norbert Brügge"/>
| speed = 15 Mach<br>5–6 km/s<ref>{{cite web|last=Vishwakarma |first=Arun |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Indian_Long_Range_StrategicMissiles_-Agni-III_r11.pdf |title=Indian Long Range Strategic Missiles|publisher=Lancer Publishers and Distributors |access-date=2007-12-13 |date=1 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129142104/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Indian_Long_Range_StrategicMissiles_-Agni-III_r11.pdf |archive-date=29 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| vehicle_range = 3,500 km – 5,000 km<ref name="expressindia.com">{{cite web | url= http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=70753 | title= Agni-III test fired by India | work = The Indian Express| access-date=2006-07-09 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060713203339/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=70753| archive-date= 13 July 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref>
| ceiling =
| altitude = > 450 km<ref name="hindu102369" />
| filling = Conventional, [[Thermobaric weapon|thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon|nuclear]]
| guidance = {{ubl|'''Mid-course:''' [[Ring laser gyroscope]] [[inertial navigation system]], optionally augmented by [[GPS]]/[[Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System|NavIC]] [[Guided bomb|satellite guidance]]|'''Terminal:''' Imaging [[infrared homing]], radar scene correlation, [[active radar homing]]<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org">{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-3/|title=Agni-3|website=Missile Threat}}</ref>}}
| steering = Flex-nozzle [[thrust vectoring]] (first and second stage)<ref name="Norbert Brügge">{{cite web|last1=Brügge |first1=Norbert |title=India's solid-fuel ballistic missile-family "Agni" |url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Diverse/Agni/ |website=Presentation of Space Launch Vehicles |access-date=29 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208114659/http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Diverse/Agni/ |archive-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>
| accuracy = 40 m [[Circular error probable|CEP]]<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org"/>
| launch_platform = {{ubl|8 × 8 [[transporter erector launcher]]|Rail mobile launcher}}
}}

The '''Agni-III''' ([[IAST]]: [[Agni]], {{lit|Fire}}) is an Indian [[intermediate-range ballistic missile]] inducted into service in 2011 as the successor of the [[Agni-II]].<ref name="expressindia.com"/> It has a range of {{convert|3500|to|5000|km}} and can reach targets deep inside neighbouring countries including [[China]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-3/ |title=Agni-3 |publisher=MissileThreat |access-date=2011-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/missile/agni.htm | title= Agni – India Missile Special Weapons Deilivery System | publisher= Federation of American Scientists | access-date= 2009-05-16 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416233751/http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/missile/agni.htm| archive-date= 16 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Introduction==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2022}}
India's [[credible minimum deterrence]] envisaged a [[nuclear triad]] of counter-strike capability which required a long-range missile to provide robust [[second strike]] capability. India developed a larger missile, with a heavier payload and longer range in a compact configuration. Driven by the need for retaliation to defeat emerging [[anti-ballistic missile]] (ABM) defence and countermeasures, this capability requires a compact missile which can carry ABM payloads and weapons in a configuration similar to a [[Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle|MIRV]].

==Description==
[[File:Agni-III ballistic missile.jpg|thumb|235x235px|Indian Army with Agni-III missile during the [[Republic Day (India)|Indian Republic Day]] parade in [[New Delhi]] on January 26, 2009.|left]]
The Agni-III was developed as the successor to the [[Agni-II]].<ref name="expressindia.com"/> Designed by the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO), Agni-III is a [[Multistage rocket|two-stage]] [[ballistic missile]] capable of [[nuclear weapons delivery]]. DRDO formed a separate propulsion plant in September 2001 to develop large-sized [[solid-propellant rocket]] engines, including the infrastructure for propellant casting. The stubby, two-stage solid-fuel missile is compact enough for easy mobility and flexible deployment on a number of surface and sub-surface platforms.<ref name=hindu2636571>{{cite news|title=New kid on the nuclear block|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article2636571.ece|access-date=4 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 November 2011|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

The missile is equipped with sophisticated navigation, guidance and control systems and advanced on-board computer systems. The electronic systems are designed to withstand greater vibration, heat and noise. A high-performance, indigenous [[Ring laser gyroscope|ring laser gyro]]-based [[inertial navigation system]] was flight-tested for the first time on 7 Feb 2010.<ref name=rediff.comNukeCapable>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Nuclear-capable Agni-III missile successfully tested|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/nuke-capable-agni-missile-tested-sucessfully/20100207.htm|access-date=30 April 2012|work=Rediff.com|date=7 February 2022}}</ref>

The two stages of Agni-III has an overall diameter of {{convert|2|m}}. Initially, The mass of first-stage is about 32 tonnes and {{convert|7.7|m}} long, and 10 tonnes and {{convert|3.3|m}} long for second stage. The missile was expected to support a wide range of [[warhead]] configurations, with a {{convert|4500|km|adj=on}} range and a total payload weight of {{convert|2490|kg}}.<ref name="expressindia.com"/> The ground support system and launcher are developed by [[Research & Development Establishment (Engineers)]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ground Support System for Missile Programme |url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/ground-support-system-missile-programme |website=DRDO |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref>

The [[circular error probable]] (CEP) of Agni-III is within {{convert|40|m}}.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.8ak.in/8ak_india_defence_news/2010/02/successful-agniiii-missile-tests-provide-india-with-a-credible-deterrence-.html| title= Successful Agni-III missile tests provide India with a credible deterrent, boost for DRDO| access-date= 2010-02-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100214090953/http://www.8ak.in/8ak_india_defence_news/2010/02/successful-agniiii-missile-tests-provide-india-with-a-credible-deterrence-.html| archive-date= 14 February 2010| url-status= dead}}</ref> The [[US Air Force]]'s [[National Air and Space Intelligence Center]] estimated that in June 2017, fewer than 10 launchers had been deployed.<ref name=nasic-20170601>{{cite report |page=25 |url=http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |id=NASIC-1031-0985-17 |publisher=Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee |date=June 2017 |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref>

== Propulsion ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2022}}
The Agni-III has two solid-fuelled stages and an overall diameter of {{convert|2|m}}, compatible with an Indian sub-surface launch system which has a {{convert|2.3|m|ft|adj=mid|-diameter}} launch-tube aperture. The first-stage booster weighs around 32 [[tonne]] and is made of advanced carbon-composite materials to provide high [[Payload fraction|payload fraction (mass fraction)]]. It is {{convert|7.7|m}} long; the second stage weighs around 11 tonne, made of [[maraging steel]], is {{convert|3.3|m}} long and has [[Thrust vectoring|vectoring]] nozzles for flight-trajectory control.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agni Ballistic Missile System|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/agniballisticmissile/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Army Technology|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Flight tests ==
[[File:The Long Range Ballistic Missile successfully launched from the Wheeler Island about 12 Kms. from Damra off Orissa Coast, on May 07, 2008.jpg|thumb|alt=Rocket launch|The Agni-III was successfully launched from Wheeler Island on 7 May 2008.|left|206x206px]]The first test of the Agni-III was conducted on [[Abdul Kalam Island]] (then known as Wheeler Island), near the [[Bhadrak]] coast, on 9 July 2006.<ref name="expressindia.com" /> The launch was unsuccessful; the missile fell into the sea off the coast of [[Odisha]], short of the target. According to the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]], the failure was due to a first-stage anomaly of recirculating hot gases which entered the missile-base shroud and damaged electronic components.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2408/stories/20070504003802300.htm | title = Next objective: a 5,000-km Agni | access-date = 2007-04-21 | author = T.S. Subramanian | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212405/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2408/stories/20070504003802300.htm | archive-date = 26 September 2007 | url-status = usurped}}</ref> Indian Defence Minister [[Pranab Mukherjee]] called it a "partial success" (a euphemism indicating that the test generated useful data for diagnosis and correction), since the missile was air-borne for five minutes instead of the expected 15.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5162416.stm | publisher = BBC | date = 10 July 2006 | title= Indian missile test 'was failure' }}</ref>

Agni-III was successfully test-fired on 12 April 2007 from Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. India's [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] announced,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/04_2007/india-test-fires-agniiii-missile-38382.html | title = Agni test fired successfully | access-date = 2007-05-14 | work = IBN Live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070515191024/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/04_2007/india-test-fires-agniiii-missile-38382.html| archive-date= 15 May 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> "This test confirms the extent of India's nuclear reach and India's [[nuclear deterrence]] as the missile can accurately hit targets at distance more than 3000 km away".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=26817 | title = Agni iii launched successfully | access-date = 2007-05-14 | work = Govt. of India }}</ref> The Agni-III is the most powerful and capable of India's missile inventory; capable of carrying a variety of warheads (including nuclear warheads), it can be launched from a number of platforms and extends India's regional [[power projection]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Agni.html |title=AGNI – Strategic Ballistic Missile |access-date=2007-05-14 |author=Arun Vishwakarma |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410130240/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Agni.html |archive-date=10 April 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Washington |first=The |url=http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080522/COMMENTARY/364944950/1012/commentary |title=India's missile power lifts off – An U.S perspective on India's missile power |work=The Washington Times |date=22 May 2008 |access-date=2011-07-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110606235950/http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080522/COMMENTARY/364944950/1012/commentary| archive-date= 6 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The missile was again test-fired successfully on 7 May 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontierindia.net/gni-3-flight-tested-successfully-for-the-third-time |title=Agni-3 flight tested successfully for the third time |publisher=Frontierindia.net |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725073242/http://frontierindia.net/gni-3-flight-tested-successfully-for-the-third-time |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After a flight of about 15 minutes, defence scientists confirmed that the test was successful and the missile met all requirements. With a velocity of 5,000 meters per second, the Agni-III has a range of {{convert|3500|km}}; new navigation software will increase the missile's accuracy and
lethality.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050560551400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508170913/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050560551400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2008 |title=Agni-III launch on May 7 |date= 5 May 2008|access-date=2011-07-15 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The successful 2008 test opened the door for the next-generation Indian ICBM Agni V, with a {{convert|5000|to|6000|km|adj=on}} range.<ref name="timesofindia8May08">{{cite news|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|title=Agni-III test-fired, can reach Beijing, Shanghai|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-08/india/27756489_1_agni-iii-wheeler-island-miniaturised-third-stage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218070655/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-08/india/27756489_1_agni-iii-wheeler-island-miniaturised-third-stage|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 December 2013|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 May 2022}}</ref> The Agni-III's development test was postponed for unknown reasons in August 2009.{{cn|date=April 2022}}[[Image:Agni missile range.svg|thumb|alt=Colour-coded world map|Agni series missile range|280x280px]]

It was again tested successfully on Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha on 7 February 2010. The missile hit the target accurately (witnessed by two ships near the target), and met all mission objectives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=57681 |title=Fourth Test Flight of Long Range Missile AGNI-3 Successful |publisher=Pib.nic.in |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717071628/http://www.pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=57681 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Supporting a range of warhead configurations, the Agni-III has a total payload weight of {{convert|2490|kg}}.<ref name="hindu102369" /> The two-stage, solid-fuel missile is small enough for easy mobility and flexible deployment from a number of surface and sub-surface platforms. The test validated its nuclear-triggering mechanism, indicating that the Agni-III is intended for strategic nuclear deterrence.<ref name="hindu102369">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article102369.ece |title=AGNI-III test-fired successfully |work=The Hindu|date=7 February 2010 |access-date=2011-07-15 |location=Chennai, India |first=T. S. |last=Subramanian}}</ref> The test launch was part of the missile's pre-induction into the [[Indian Army]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Super Admin |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2010/02/07/indianarmy-ready-to-induct-long-range-missile-agni-3.html |title=Indian Army ready to induct long range missile Agni-3 |publisher=News.oneindia.in |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=2011-07-15}}</ref>

India's defence minister announced in August of that year that the Agni-III was ready for induction into the country's armed forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_agni-iii-ready-for-induction-ak-antony_1420970 |title=Agni-III ready for induction: AK Antony – Sci/Tech – DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=2011-07-15}}</ref> and its induction was reported in June 2011.<ref name="TH">{{cite news|agency=Press Trust of India |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article2073999.ece |title=Sci-Tech / Science : India to test fire Agni-V by year-end |work=The Hindu|date=3 June 2011 |access-date=2011-07-15 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In September 2012, it was reported that a missile group of Agni-IIIs was being raised.<ref>{{cite news|author=Ajai Shukla |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/military-to-buy-drdo-missiles-worth-rs-1-lakh-cr-in-10-yrs/485293/ |title=Military to buy DRDO missiles worth Rs 1 lakh cr in 10 yrs |work=Business Standard|date=4 September 2012 |location=Hyderabad, India}}</ref>

On 21 September of that year, the [[Strategic Forces Command]] successfully test-fired an Agni III missile from a rail mobile launcher.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agniiii-testfired-successfully/article3922230.ece|title=Agni-III test-fired successfully|first=Y.|last=Mallikarjun|date=21 September 2012|work=The Hindu}}</ref> The missile was again successfully tested on 23 December 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/agniiii-testfired-by-sfc-personnel/article5493671.ece|title=Agni-III test-fired by SFC personnel|first=Y.|last=Mallikarjun|date=23 December 2013|work=The Hindu}}</ref> on 16 April 2015,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/agni-iii-successfully-test-fired-from-odisha-coast/articleshow/46941664.cms|title=Agni-III successfully test fired from Odisha coast|date=16 April 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> and on 27 April 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-agni-iii-ballistic-missile/articleshow/58396268.cms|title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni III ballistic missile |work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/apr/27/india-successfully-test-fires-nuclear-capable-agni-iii-missile-off-odisha-coast-1598412.html|title=India successfully test fires nuclear capable Agni-III missile off Odisha coast|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-04-27}}</ref>

On 30 November 2019, the missile's first night trial was conducted. The test reportedly failed, with the missile beginning to diverge from its planned flight trajectory after {{convert|115|km}} and mission control aborting the flight. A manufacturing defect was thought to be a possible cause of the failure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/dec/01/nuclear-capable-agni-iii-missile-fails-in-maiden-night-trial-2069737.html|title=Nuclear capable Agni-III missile fails in maiden night trial|date=2019-12-01|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
*[http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-3/ CSIS Missile Threat - Agni 3]
*[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com Bharat-Rakshak Home]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410130240/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Agni.html Bharat-Rakshak Missiles Section: AGNI – Strategic Ballistic Missile]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkmDUOiFCs Video of Agni-III test]

{{Indian missiles}}
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[[Category:Ballistic missiles of India]]
[[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]
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