NEW DELHI, May 7: India plans to deploy its intermediate range nuclear-capable Agni I and II missiles in 2003, the government said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Defence Minister George Fernandes said in a written reply that production of Agni I with a range of 700 kms and Agni II with a reach of 2000 km had already started and they would be deployed this year.

He said that based on long-term security needs, the government had approved the development of the longer range 3000 km Agni III missiles.

“The development is in progress and the missile is likely to be tested in near future,” Mr Fernandes said. He said no date was fixed for the first launch of the longer version of the Agni, seen as China specific.

Mr Fernandes said in India’s missile programme only the surface-to-surface army variant of the Prithvi missile had been so far deployed with the army. The production of longer range 250 kms Prithvi II had ‘started after successful completion of development and flight testing.’