India conducts 1st night trial of nuclear capable Agni-III missile

News:India has conducted the first night trial of nuclear capable long-range ballistic missile Agni-III.

Facts:

About Agni-III:

• Agni-III is an intermediate range nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
• The missile has been developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization).
• The missile has a strike range of 3,000 km to 5,000 km and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.
• The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine.It is 17 metres long with two-metre diameter and weighs around 2,200 kg.
• It is equipped with a hybrid navigation, guidance and control systems along with advanced on-board computer.
• The trial was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army with logistic support from the DRDO.

Additional information:

About Strategic Forces Command:

• The Strategic Forces Command(SFC) was created in 2003.It is a part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority(NCA). 
• It is responsible for the management and administration of the country’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

About Nuclear Command Authority(NCA):

• Nuclear Command Authority is India’s nodal authority responsible for command, control and operational decisions regarding India’s nuclear weapons programme. 
• It has an Executive Council which is headed by National Security Advisor. 
• It gives input to the Political Council headed by the Prime Minister.The Political Council authorizes a nuclear attack if need be.