Agni-V launch rescheduled for today

Agni-V, India's longest range ballastic missile with a range of over 5,000 kms being uploaded onto the road mobile launcher. The launch was postponed till Thursday due to bad weather. Photo: V.V. Krishnan

The much-awaited launch of India's longest-range ballistic missile, Agni-V, which was scheduled to take place from Wheeler Island on Wednesday night, was postponed to Thursday morning because of lightning and thunderstorm.

The first developmental trial was originally scheduled between 8 and 8.30 pm on Wednesday. But charged clouds, persistent lightning and thunder forced the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to reschedule the launch between 7.30 am and 8.30 am on Thursday.

According a top DRDO official, the test was deferred for safety reasons.