India Missile Test-Fire Successful
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NEW DELHI — India successfully test-fired a new missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East, a defense ministry spokesman said yesterday.
“The entire test had text book precision,” ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said. A test-firing of the Agni III missile last July failed when it plunged into the Bay of Bengal short of its target.
India’s current crop of missiles are mostly intended for confronting neighboring arch-rival Pakistan. The Agni III, in contrast, is India’s longest-range missile, designed to reach 1,900 miles — putting China’s major cities well into range, as well as targets deep in the Middle East.
India’s Defense Minister A. K. Anthony congratulated defense scientists on the successful launch of the missile, a ministry press statement said.
“India has matured in the missile technology area and was definitely at par with many other developed countries,” the release added.
The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the eastern state of Orissa and is also said to be capable of carrying up to a 300-kiloton nuclear warhead.
