India Preparing ICBM Test Launch

India is preparing to test its longest-range nuclear-capable missile, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 6).

“We are technically ready for the test-firing of the missile,” M. Natarajan, scientific adviser to the Defense Ministry, announced yesterday.

“We are awaiting a nod from the government,” he said.

Some experts believe the solid-fuel Agni 3 missile, which officially can fly 4,000 kilometers, has an actual range of up to 6,000 kilometers, AFP reported.

New Delhi has delayed testing the missile since November 2004, reportedly under pressure from Washington (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, May 14).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.