Q. With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

  1. It is surface-to-surface missile.
  2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
  3. It can deliver one tonne nuclear warhead about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  • 1 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 only

Agni-4 Missile
  • The surface to surface Agni-IV missile having 4000 km strike range is a two stage missile. 
  • The missile is light-weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield. It is 20-metre long and weighs 17 tonnes.
  • It is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide a high level of reliability.
  • It is an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile with a range of around 4,000 km. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • Features: 
    • It is equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th generation On Board Computer and distributed architecture.
    • It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.
    • The most accurate Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and supported by the highly reliable redundant Micro Navigation System (MINGS), ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two digit accuracy.
  • Range of other Agni Missiles:
    • Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
    • Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
    • Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
    • Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
    • Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)
  • It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
  • The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
    • Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
    • Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
    • Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile.
    • Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
    • Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.