December 14, 2007: India announced that it is
working on a new ICBM, the Agni IV. This missile would have a 6,000 kilometer
range. Currently, the Agni series consists of the Agni I, with a range of 700
kilometers, Agni II, with a range of 2,500 kilometers and, still in
development, the Agni III, with a range of 4,000 kilometers. The Agni III has
been having technical, and diplomatic problems. Most of the Agni III tests have
been failures. Indian diplomats are also upset over the Agni III, as it's only
use would be against China. India is trying to develop better relations with
China, and Indian diplomats argued for the cancellation of the Agni III project.
At first, the government agreed, then quietly resumed work on the Agni III. The
Agni IV would allow targets in Russia, Europe (Italy and points east), Japan
and Africa to be hit. It's unsure what point the Indians are trying to make
here.
The Agni I and II are sufficient to cover India's
main enemy, Pakistan. The Agni II and IV are both two stage, solid fuel
missiles.
