India Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile
Pastor Dale Morgan
India Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile*
By MUNEEZA NAQVI
The Associated Press
Thursday, April 12, 2007; 9:18 AM
NEW DELHI -- India test-fired a new missile capable of carrying nuclear
warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East, a state government
official said Thursday.
An earlier test-firing of the Agni III missile had failed when it
plunged into the Bay of Bengal short of its target in July last year.
There was no immediate comment whether the current test was successful.
The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the eastern state of
Orissa, the state government official said on condition of anonymity
because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
India's current crop of missiles has been largely intended to confront
neighboring archrival Pakistan. The Agni III, in contrast, is India's
longest-range missile, designed to reach 1,900 miles _ putting China's
major cities well into range, as well as targets deep in the Middle East.
It also is said to be capable of carrying up to a 300-kiloton nuclear
warhead.
India's missile program, together with its nuclear program and drive for
a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, is part of its
ongoing efforts to establish itself as a world power.
India's homegrown missile arsenal already includes the short-range
Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Akash, the anti-tank Nag and
the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia.