Agni test: Recurring failures worry all

BALASORE: The intelligentsia is surprised at the recurring failure of Agni series of missiles touted as trusted weaponry in Indian missile arsenal. Within last 20 years since the beginning of Agni’s developmental trials, the missile has failed four times to meet many of the mission parameters which has also left the DRDO scientists worried.

More importantly, nuclear-capable 2000-km plus range Agni-II missile has failed to deliver desired results consecutively twice within past six months during the ‘trainer user trials’. What has become a worry is that the debacle has happened at the deployment stage, five years after the induction of the missile in the armed forces.

“It is definitely a shocker for the DRDO. I think they should be more careful and sure before going for user trials of missiles like Agni from which we expect a lot. Besides, the users should also attend more number of trials and be more confident on technical grounds before they take the missiles for use,” said Major General (retd) R K Sahu.

Sources said so far the three variants of Agni - Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III – having strike range of 700 km, 2000 km and 3500 km respectively have been tested 15 times. While the second test of Agni-I from ITR at Chandipur-on-Sea on May 29, 1992 had failed, the maiden test of much-hyped Agni-III from Wheeler Island on July 9, 2006 failed to meet mission parameters. And now comes the two consecutive failures of the Agni-II.

There may be some misses and hits but when the average misses are more than the average hits it becomes disturbing, said an expert. Definitely it is not a matter to rejoice on both in technological field as well as in the areas of warfare, he said.

As DRDO, the agency which is solely responsible for the development, has not come out with any credible explanations on these failures, the people of the country are perturbed over the outcome of the integrated missile development programme which is the brainchild of the then chief of DRDO and former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

“Crores of rupees are being spent on the missile programmes. It is high time the government took cognizance of the matter else it will be too late to cry over the split milk. The DRDO should come out with facts as to where lay the faults as it relates to the country’s security and tax-payers money,” said Jayanta Das, president of a citizens’ forum.

Defence analysts are of the view that something tangible needs to be done to stem the rot or else it would be too late to maintain the territorial integrity of our country.