I see references to a new composite propellant being used in Agni-III. Normally, the solid fuel developed by ISRO consists of the fuel itself (aluminium), Oxidizer (Ammonium Perchlorate, for instance) Binder(HTPB, for instance), and other additives (such as curing agent, bonding agent, high energy additives etc). The Isp is normally around 250 260 secs. (vacuum). Do we have a different solid fuel for Agni-III ?

The first stage is approximately 31 tonnes mass and length of 7.7 meters. This stage's specific impulse (ISP) of 237/269 is believed to be better than Agni-II booster and closer to large solid motor currently in use on Indian space launchers.

Editorial in the Hindustan Times

Going ballistic makes sense

April 13, 2007
It is good to see India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) finally picking up steam. The successful flight test of the nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-III on Thursday was the latest in a series of triumphs for the IGMDP in the last six months, including the Prithvi interceptor missile and the Dhanush. Initial reports from the test site in Chandipur-on-sea in Orissa speak of remarkable circular area probable figures (that determine a missile’s strike accuracy) for Agni-III. This is a tribute to the fine band of Indian missilemen who staked their credentials on Agni III excelling in crucial operational areas like re-entry, long-range manoeuvring, and two-staged propulsion and stage separation. For the first test of the missile had failed last July when it crashed into the sea without hitting its designated target.

The Agni system forms a key component of India’s nuclear deterrence capability and it made no sense to delay its development after India tested nuclear weapons in May 1998. It would have been a shame if defence planners still only talked about an armed Agni that could be deployed at the drop of a Pakistani or Chinese helmet. The strategic value of missiles makes more than economic sense, shielding the country from external pressures and coercive diplomacy. With some not-so-friendly neighbours actively pursuing nuclear, chemical, and biological warhead development programmes, it is crucial for India to have a proven, deployable weapon of immense deterrence value like the Agni. Having rightly kicked the chemical and biological habits, it obviously hasn’t taken New Delhi long to acknowledge that India’s security imperatives call for nothing short of powerful long-range missiles. And these missiles can serve as instruments of deterrence only when they carry what they are supposed to counter: weapons of mass destruction.

The Agni III has an excellent configuration for the missile’s modification. Since its second-stage is based on the extensively tested Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), computer simulations can draw upon PSLV data to augment the missile’s range to over 5,000 kilometres. That wouldn’t be unlike the intercontinental ballistic missile, Surya, which is already on the drawing board, and which would be able to reach targets in the US and Europe.

ndia today testfired the Agni-III ICBM for the first time. The missile, which is roughly 15 metre long and weighs around 40 tons, has a range of 5500km with a 1.5 ton payload; the first test . Few details of the missile are available, and only a single photograph (below) and brief video of the missile have ever been publicly released.

Agni is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Fire'. While the Agni-III has the same name as two other related missiles in the Indian missiles forces, it is a completely different missile with very different dimensions; Agni-I and II were just MRBM and IRBM versions of a common family, with the latter having an extra stage.

The naming choice was likely made to avoid suggesting an escalatory pose through a new missile, particularly in view of its diverse capabilities, and instead suggest an evolution of an existing system; in the past, missile specifications and ranges were purposefully obfuscated or understated by quoting range at maximum payload only, a system that continues to be used with the Agni-III as well.

In deployed form, the missile will carry one or more 200kt warheads, each of which weight 200-300kg. Unconfirmed news reports suggest the test launch itself carried multiple dummy payloads. The diameter and height of the missile also fits the subsurface launch system developed and tested in the recent past, indicating that it will serve as a common road/rail mobile ICBM as well as an SLBM, analogous to the DongFeng-31/JuLang-2 in the PLA's service

I just realized the surroundings. A model, or the real thing? First stage looks too short.

folks did ya know that only very recently as around 2006 the PRC has managed to launch a SLBM JL-2 prototype from a submerged platform ?

My guess is that these forward jets are for trajectory change in atmospheric flight to avoid any hostile measures/ weapons which rely on ballistic trajectory.

My guess is that these forward jets are for trajectory change in atmospheric flight to avoid any hostile measures/ weapons which rely on ballistic trajectory