India is set to test-fire the extended intermediate range Agni-III ballistic missile from the inner Wheeler Island in Orissa’s Balasore coast in the last week of this month.

"Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists are planning to test the missile at any time between April 23 to 30", DRDO sources said. More than 200 scientists are camping at the test range at the island for the purpose.

Indigenously developed, the Agni-III has a strike range of 3,500 km .This will be the third test of the long-range missile. The maiden test of Agni-III in 2006 failed due to some technical snags. Its second test last year was successful.

Agni-III is a short and stubby missile weighing 48.3 tonnes with a diameter of 1.8 meters. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing around 1.5 tonnes. The missile will be propelled by solid fuel facilitating swift deployment in comparison to missiles using a mixture of solid and liquid fuels.

"The sophisticated missile will require just two to three more tests before limited series production trials by the armed forces. It will take two more years for its operational deployment," a defence scientist said.

According to defence experts, induction of Agni-III will allow India to catch up with China’s nuclear strike capacity. The range of the missile is expected to be long enough to target major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing. Tested successfully for a range of 3,500 km, the Agni-III can also add another stage and cross the 5,000 km. At 3,500 km, it brings significant Chinese military bases and industrial installation, along with civilian habitation, within its ambit.

The Agni series of missiles are part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme launched by DRDO in 1983. The first test of the series was conducted in 1989.