Missile Agni-III

The Agni-III is an intermediate-range ballistic missile developed as the successor to the Agni-II. Development of its solid-propellant rocket engines began in 2001. The first flight test occurred on July 9, 2006, but failed when the missile fell into the sea following a first-stage anomaly caused by recirculating hot gases. A successful test followed on April 12, 2007, which validated the system's design.

The missile utilizes a two-stage solid-propellant propulsion system fueled by hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene. The first-stage motor casing is constructed from carbon-composite materials, while the second stage is composed of maraging steel. Flight trajectory control is managed via flex-nozzle thrust vectoring on both stages. The guidance suite consists of a ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system integrated with multi-GNSS for mid-course updates. Terminal guidance is achieved through imaging infrared homing, radar scene matching, or active radar homing. On-board computer systems and electronics are hardened against vibration, heat, and noise. The airframe is compatible with conventional, thermobaric, and nuclear warheads.

The Agni-III entered service in 2011 and is operated by the Strategic Forces Command. It is deployed on 8x8 transporter erector launchers and rail-mobile platforms. The system is configured for mobility to allow for flexible deployment across surface and sub-surface platforms. While the Strategic Forces Command has conducted several successful training launches, a night trial on November 30, 2019, resulted in a failure when the missile diverged from its planned trajectory after 115 kilometers due to a suspected manufacturing defect. The system forms part of a land-based nuclear deterrent.