INDIA: India is preparing to test a range of missiles over the next few days, including a shorter-range version of its Agni nuclear-capable missile, according to a defence official.
The surface-to-surface Agni, which means fire in Sanskrit, is a key element of India's nuclear self-defence strategy against nuclear-armed neighbours China and Pakistan. India has had a missile programme for nearly 20 years.
India and Pakistan have ended a 10-month military build-up on the border last year but continue to wrangle over Kashmir and, in recent days, have engaged in tough nuclear rhetoric. Defence experts said the tests were unlikely to re-ignite military tensions with Pakistan because they were routine.
The Indian defence official said preparations had been made to test an Agni 1 missile, with a range of 600-800 km, from a launch pad in the Bay of Bengal.
An intermediate version of the ballistic missile with a range of 2,500 km has already been declared operational. "Experts are camping at the site, we expect the tests to take place in the next few days," the official said.
Defence scientists also plan to test a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed with Russia. The Brahmos missile, with a 280 km range, is set to enter production by year end. Russia and India have close defence ties stemming from the Cold War. Nearly 70 per cent of India's defence hardware is of Soviet origin. In recent years, New Delhi has ordered fighter planes, tanks and submarines from Russia.
The armed forces also plan to test a 250-km range variant of its surface-to-surface missile, Prithvi, which is thought to be nuclear capable. A 150-km version of the Prithvi, which means earth, is already being used by the army.
Pakistan, which matched India's underground nuclear explosions in May 1998 with tests of its own, has also developed a range of missiles to deliver such weapons. Yesterday, the army took delivery of domestically produced medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, a military statement said. - (Reuters)