India just tested a ballistic missile capable of carrying 1.5 tonne nuclear warheads

• The missile was launched from a canister integrate mobile system.
  
• It successfully completed all the intended objectives.
  
• The new missile features many indigenously developed technologies.

On Sunday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-5. The ICBM, which was launched off the Odisha coast is the fifth edition of the Agni series.

It was test fired at 0945 hrs from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island and the test was successfully completed, proving its reliability. The missile was tracked throughout its whole trajectory and all the objectives were achieved, says a report in The Hindu.

The missile costs around $8 million and can carry nuclear warheads weighing upto 1.5 tonnes to distances over 5000 km. If the payload is reduced, it can even reach distances of upto 8000 km.

It is an advancement to the Agni-III and was first test fired in 2012. Since then, it has been tested five more times with the latest launches being conducted from road-mobile launching vehicles.

The Agni-5 features new technologies, like the high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and a Micro Navigation System (MINS), which were both developed indigenously. It's expected to be more accurate because of these advancements.

Image Source: Indian Defence Research Wing