1ST LEAD : India tests its most powerful nuclear-capable missile

Feb 7, 2010, 7:36 GMT

New Delhi - India on Sunday successfully tested its longest-range nuclear-capable missile from a military base in the eastern state of Orissa, defence officials said.

The Agni III surface-to-surface missile, which can reach targets as far as eastern China, was test-fired from the launch site at Wheeler's island, 200 kilometres east of state capital Bhubaneshwar.

Named after the Hindu god of fire, Agni III is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of 3,000 kilometres. It can take a payload of up to 1.5 tons and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

'I can confirm that the test was successful,' Defence Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said by telephone.

It was the fourth test of the missile. The first test, from the same defence base on July 9, 2006 was a failure but the second trial held on April 12, 2007, was successful. The third test on May 7, 2008 was also a success.

The missile uses a two-stage, solid-propellant system, weighs 50 tons and can be deployed through rail or road mobile launch vehicles.

With a length of 17 metres, it is shorter than the Agni I and Agni II, which are already in the country's arsenal. Agni I has a range of 700 to 800 kilometres while Agni II can cover 2,000 kilometres.

The tests of Agni III have propelled India into a select group of countries having intermediate-range ballistic missile capabilities, defined as 3,000 to 5,000 kilometres.

Defence analysts called the Agni III system a major step in India's nuclear deterrence programme, especially with regard to China. Both China and India's western neighbour of Pakistan have nuclear-capable missiles.