Agni-V, India's 'China Killer' (To go with Agni-V launch story)

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) India Thursday successfully launched its long-range Agni-V ballistic missile. Here are some salient features of the missile and the test, which propelled the country into a special league of nations:

* Agni-V is a 5,000-km intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM)

* Short of an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) by 500 km

* 17.5 metres long, can carry 1- to 1.5-tonne conventional and nuclear war heads

* Can hit targets in large parts of China, including Beijing

* Can target whole of Pakistan and South Asia

* Three-stage propulsion system

* Solid fuel in the final stage propels it into space

* Greater accuracy due to better guidance and navigation systems

* Composite Rocket Motors and propulsion systems entirely indigenous

* Will form key component of India's strategic arsenal