The short-range Agni ballistic missile, successfully test-fired last week, is similar to its predecessor, the Agni II, the Hindu reported Sunday (see GSN, Jan. 29).

The chief difference between the Agni-II and the recently tested Agni-variant is that the variant is only a single-stage missile, according to the Hindu.  The variant still retains the solid fuel propulsion system of the Agni II, which allows it to launch with little notice.  The liquid-fueled, single-stage Prithvi missile, on the other hand, needs advance time to fill its fuel tanks before it can be fired.

The Agni variant will also retain the Agni-II “velocity trimming package,” which helps to compensate for small performance variations that come with solid motors.  The relative similarities between the Agni variant and the Agni II will also aid in production and maintenance, the Hindu reported (N. Gopal Raj, Hindu, Jan. 27 in FBIS-NES, Jan. 27).

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