India conducted today a successful flight test of a shorter-range variant of its Agni ballistic missile, according to Reuters (see GSN, July 26, 2002).  The test, conducted in the eastern state of Orissa over the Bay of Bengal, “was a textbook launch, everything went perfectly,” a senior Indian defense official said (Sanjeev Miglani, Reuters, Jan. 9).

The tested missile has a range of 600-900 kilometers, according to a senior Indian Defense Ministry official (CNN.com, Jan. 9).

Analysts said the test of the nuclear-capable missile, which can be launched from mobile systems, will help improve India’s defenses against its South Asian rival Pakistan (see GSN, Jan. 8).

“The test is one more step in enhancing India’s overall weapons of mass destruction capability,” said Uday Bhaskar, deputy head of the government-funded Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.

India plans to conduct several additional missile tests over the next few days, including tests of the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile and a 250-kilometer range variant of its Prithvi surface-to-surface missile, according to Reuters (Miglani, Reuters).

Pakistani officials lashed out at India today for conducting the test.

“This missile test reflects India’s mindset,” said Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.  “India’s desire to control the subcontinent will never become a reality,” Ahmad said (CNN.com).

Pakistan has not said, however, if it would conduct its own missile test in response to India’s actions.  “Pakistan conducts tests when our technical requirements so demand,” said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan (Agence France-Presse, Jan. 9).

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