The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) today test fired Agni II, the medium-range nuclear-capable missile, from APJ Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast, as ANI reported.

The missile has a strike range of more than 2,000 km which has a length of 20 metres, weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1000 kg over a distance of 2000 km.

Agni II, is a division of the Agni series of missiles developed by the DRDO which includes Agni-I (700-km range), Agni-III (3,000 kms), Agni-IV (4,000 kms) and Agni-V (more than 5,000 kms).

The trial of the surface-to-surface missile was carried out from Launch Complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore district at about 8.38 a.m., said a Defence Ministry official.

Agni II missile has already been installed into the Indian Army.

The two-stage missile equipped with highly developed and high accuracy navigation system and which is directed by a novel scheme of state-of-the-art command and control system was driven by solid rocket propellant system.

From time to time, the SFC, the division which overlook nuclear missiles in the country, carries out tests of missiles in its inventory from diverse production batches to check the effectiveness of the weapon systems in its stock.

The nuclear missile carrying armaments are mainstay of Indian nuclear 'no first strike policy' and have been developed as steadfast as credible weapon systems.

(With inputs from agencies)