Indian defence research organisation DRDO successfully test-fired its 3000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile today.

Agni III gives India the capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China like Beijing and Shanghai. India now joins a select group of nations having intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) with ranges upto 3000 kms.

The success of Agni-III paves the way for India to build its truly intercontinental range missiles Agni-IV with a range of 5000 kms in the near future. A miniaturised submarine-launched version of the Agni-III called Agni-III SL is also being developed.