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India tests nuclear-capable missile: defence official
Bhubaneswar, India (AFP) Nov 23, 2009 India carried out a night-time test of a nuclear-capable, medium-range ballistic missile off its eastern coast on Monday, a defence official said. The surface-to-surface Agni-II, which can deliver a nuclear warhead to targets within a range of 2,500 kilometres (1,560 miles), was fired from a mobile rail launcher on Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa state at 7:50pm (1420 GMT). "It was a user training trial to handle the missile at night," the defence official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The Indian-developed 20-metre-long missile, which has a launch weight of 16 tonnes, is capable of carrying a one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead. The missile is one of a series being developed by India's Defence Research Development Organisation as part of the country's deterrent strategy against nuclear-armed neighbours China and Pakistan. India already has the 3,000-kilometre range Agni-III missile -- the longest in the Agni series -- which can also carry conventional or nuclear payloads. Unconfirmed reports suggest India is also building an Agni variant with a range of 5,000 kilometres. The Agni-I missile has a strike range of 1,500 kilometres. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Russia ups its nuclear triad Moscow (UPI) Nov 20, 2009 Russia's Strategic Missile Forces will begin operating a second regiment armed with Topol-M mobile missile systems by the end of the year. The single-warhead Topol-M is an advanced version of the silo-based and mobile Topol-based inter-continental missile. It is the mainstay of the ground-based component of Russia's nuclear triad. "We will complete the rearmament of the second ... read more |
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