India tests nuclear capable missile with range as far as Beijing

International Institute for Strategic Studies said the race with Pakistan was increasing the risk of nuclear exchange.


Reuters September 15, 2013
A surface-to-surface Agni V missile is displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS

BHUBANESWAR: India successfully test-fired for a second time a nuclear-capable missile on Sunday that can reach Beijing and much of Europe, bringing a step closer production of a weapon designed to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.

"The test was successful," said Ravi Kumar Gupta, spokesman for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). "It hit the target in a predefined trajectory. It met all the mission objectives"

A video distributed by the DRDO showed the Agni-V rocket blasting off from a forest clearing on an island off India's east coast state of Odisha.

India is trying to keep up with China's growing military strength and wants to have a viable deterrent against its larger nuclear-armed neighbor.

The two countries have generally warm relations, but they fought a brief Himalayan war in 1962 and a buildup of conventional defenses along their disputed border is a source of tension.

The Agni-V is the most advanced version of the indigenously built Agni, or Fire, series, part of a program that started in the 1960s. Earlier versions could reach old rival Pakistan and western China.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan is increasing its arsenal of nuclear warheads and developing short-range, tactical nuclear weapons, raising concern about an escalating South Asian arms race, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said on Thursday.

The think-tank said in a report the race with Pakistan was increasing the risk of a nuclear exchange during a conventional conflict, perhaps sparked by an act of terrorism.

The Agni-V missile was first tested in April 2012. It is mostly domestically built and has a range of about 5,000 km. Only the UN Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.

Gupta said India was now ready to start a process of production and subsequent induction of the missile.

COMMENTS (58)

Lotus | 10 years ago | Reply

@Arsal bro, And we'll wipe out Pakistan from the world's map; not a single Pakistani will be left alive. Since India is the only country for Hindus, we'll do anything to protect it and take revenge. We'll also nuke your Makka-Madina and all Muslim countries before being destroyed. And remember Agni-5 can reach the whole Arab world. Mind it.

Arsal | 10 years ago | Reply

Pakistan is a Muslim country and there are many muslim countries in the world. but India is the only Hindu country so in case of any Nuclear conflict with india Pakistan will distroy the only country of hindus and No hindu will remain to live but Muslims will remain live in world.

Pakistan is our country and we can Do every thing for our beloved country. Mind it

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