India Says Test-Launch of Long-Range Missile Success

World | April 19, 2012, Thursday // 10:00
Bulgaria: India Says Test-Launch of Long-Range Missile Success In this photo released by the Indian Ministry of Defense, India's Agni-V missile lifts off from the launch pad off India's east coast on Thursday.

India said Thursday that it had successfully carried out the maiden test flight of its longest-range nuclear-capable missile, which can reach targets in China and Eastern Europe among others.

The locally-developed Agni-V missile was originally scheduled to launch on Wednesday in the eastern state of Orissa.

Officials had delayed the launch because of heavy lightning in the area.

The missile has a range of more than 5,000km (3,100 miles), within range of targets in nuclear rival China's territory.

The Agni-V missile was launched from Orissa's Wheeler Island at 0805 local time on Thursday.

"It was a perfect launch. It met all the test parameters and hit its pre-determined target," SP Das, director of the test range, told the BBC.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the scientists for the "successful launch" of the missile.

"Today's launch represents another milestone in our quest for our security, preparedness and to explore the frontiers of science," he said.

Analysts say the Agni (meaning "fire" in Hindi and Sanskrit) missile family is to be the cornerstone of India's missile-based nuclear deterrent.

The missiles are among the country's most sophisticated weapons.

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