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India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile
New Delhi (AFP) March 23, 2008 India on Sunday test fired a medium-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile capable of hitting most targets in neighbouring Pakistan, a defence official said. The Agni-1 missile, which has a range of more than 700 kilometres (430 miles), was fired at 10:15 am (0445 GMT) from an island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa, the official said. "The user trial of the missile passed the requisite expectations," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Agni -- Sanskrit for "fire" -- is a 12-metre (39-foot) medium-range ballistic missile that can be fired from mobile launchers and can carry a one-tonne warhead. In April, India staged a successful test of Agni-III, its longest range ballistic missile capable of transporting a nuclear warhead more than 3,000 kilometres, putting targets deep inside China within its reach. India, which held nuclear weapons tests in 1998, has developed a series of nuclear and conventional missile systems as part of a missile development programme launched in 1983. The Agni series is one of five developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation. The others are the Prithvi (Earth), the surface-to-air Trishul (Trident), multi-purpose Akash (Sky), and the anti-tank Nag (Cobra). Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan routinely carry out missile tests, although they normally notify each other in advance. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
US cutting operations at main Pacific missile testing range Majuro (AFP) March 6, 2008 The cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are forcing the US to cut back operations at its Pacific missile testing range in the Marshall Islands, the range commander said Thursday. |
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