View source for Agni-III

{{Short description|Indian intermediate-range ballistic missile}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{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= dead}}</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=2006}}</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 2015}}</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              = 
| vehicle_range      = 3,500&nbsp;km<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org"/>
| ceiling            = 
| altitude           = > 450&nbsp;km<ref name="hindu102369" />
| filling            = Conventional, [[Thermobaric weapon|thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon|nuclear]]
| filling_weight     = 2,490 kg<ref name=armytech>{{cite news|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/agniballisticmissile/?cf-view |title=Agni Ballistic Missile System |access-date=2024-04-30 |publisher=Army Technology}}</ref>
| guidance           = {{ubl|'''Mid-course:''' [[Ring laser gyroscope|RLG]]-[[Inertial navigation system|INS]] + multi-[[GNSS]]|'''Terminal:''' [[Imaging infrared|IIR]] homing, radar scene matching, [[Active radar homing|ARH]]<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 2015}}</ref>
| accuracy           = 40&nbsp;m [[Circular error probable|CEP]]<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org"/>
| launch_platform    = {{ubl|8&nbsp;×&nbsp;8 [[transporter erector launcher]]|Rail mobile launcher}}
}}

The '''Agni-III''' ({{Lit|[[Agni|Fire]]}}) is an Indian [[intermediate-range ballistic missile]] inducted into service in 2011 as the successor of the [[Agni-II]].<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> It has a range of {{convert|3,500|km}} and can reach targets deep inside neighbouring countries including [[Pakistan]] and [[China]].<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org"/><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 2020}}
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. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanvi Kulkarni and Alankrita Sinha |first= |title=India’s Credible Minimum Deterrence - A Decade Later |url=https://www.ipcs.org/issue_briefs/issue_brief_pdf/IB179-NSP-AlankritaTanvi.pdf |website=}}</ref>

==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 2015}}</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=https://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 2017}}</ref>

== Propulsion ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}
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.<!--[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Agni27_small.jpg Pontoon underwater launching platforms for Project K-15. Image  DRDO]--> 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]]On 9 July 2006, the first test of the Agni-III was conducted on [[Abdul Kalam Island]] (then known as Wheeler Island), near the [[Bhadrak]] coast.<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>

On 12 April 2007, Agni-III was successfully test-fired on 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&nbsp;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>

On 7 May 2008, the missile was again test-fired successfully.<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=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agni-III-test-fired-can-reach-Beijing-Shanghai/articleshow/3019821.cms|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=live|archive-date=18 December 2013|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 May 2008}}</ref> The Agni-III's development test was postponed for unknown reasons in August 2009.{{cn|date=April 2020}}[[Image:Agni missile range.svg|thumb|alt=Colour-coded world map|Agni series missile range|280x280px]]

On 7 February 2010, it was again tested successfully on Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. 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 |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510080710/http://news.oneindia.in/2010/02/07/indianarmy-ready-to-induct-long-range-missile-agni-3.html |url-status=dead }}</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 2012, 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|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427131813/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-agni-iii-ballistic-missile/articleshow/58396268.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://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}}
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agni-Iii}}
[[Category:Ballistic missiles of India]]
[[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]
[[de:Agni III]]