India has lost a treasure in Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, the visionary scientist behind the Agni missiles. He breathed his last at the age of 84 in Hyderabad. According to DRDO officials, he was the first program director of the Agni missile project and was fondly known as 'Agni Agarwal' and the 'Agni Man'.
Dr. Agarwal served as the Director of ASL before retiring. For two decades, he spearheaded the Agni missile program, working diligently on the warhead re-entry, composite heat shield, propulsion system, guidance, and control.
DRDO is mourning the passing of Dr. Agarwal. Former DRDO Chief and missile scientist Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy remarked that India has lost a legend. Dr. Agarwal played a crucial role in developing long-range missiles and establishing their launch facilities.
India's Agni Missiles...
Agni-1...
This surface-to-surface missile boasts a range of 900 to 1200 kilometers and can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. Since 2002, it has been part of the nation’s defense arsenal. In the future, Agni-Prime will replace this missile.
Agni-2...
Another surface-to-surface missile, the Agni-2 is a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 2000 to 3500 kilometers. It too can carry conventional or nuclear payloads and has been operational in India's defense since 2010.
Agni-3...
This missile boasts a range of 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers. Its range can be adjusted based on the payload weight. This covers substantial portions of China, entire Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Arab nations, Indonesia, and Myanmar. It travels at a speed of 18,522 kilometers per hour.
Source: aajtak
Agni-4...
Weighing 17,000 kg, the Agni-4 can carry three types of weapons: conventional, thermobaric, and strategic nuclear. Its range is between 3,500 to 4,000 kilometers, and it can reach a maximum altitude of 900 kilometers.
Agni-5...
This intercontinental ballistic missile is India's only one to put regions from the northern parts of Russia to a more than half of Africa, northern Australia, and Greenland within its striking range. It can carry a nuclear payload weighing 1,500 kg and travels at a speed 24 times greater than the speed of sound, attacking at 29,401 km/hr.
