India has started deploying both the short-range 700 km Agni I as well as intermediate range 2,000 km-plus Agni II surface-to-surface missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads with DRDO scientists training the Army missile group on their launch techniques, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Tuesday.

"We have completely developed systems for these two missiles and a certain number of them have been delivered to the Army", V.K.Atre. An outgoing Indian military scientist told media indicating that after the success with these missiles, they would "soon go in for launch of the longer range 3,000 km version of the missile Agni III".

"The technique for longer range missiles exists. We are in the process of putting it together", he said hinting that some technical hitches had to be overcome before going ahead with the launch of the Agni III.

Retiring after tenure of over five years in military top post, Atre said that along with developing short, medium and longer-range missiles, India was also working on developing an anti-missile defense system as well as airborne early warning system.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2004)