India today conducted a successful test of its nuclear-capable Agni 2 ballistic missile, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, April 15).
"A trial of Agni 2 was conducted Tuesday," a defense source said, adding that the exercise was a "trainer use trial" aimed at giving Indian army personnel experience operating the weapon.
The launch, from a mobile platform on Wheeler Island, marked the third test of the Agni 2 that unfolded as planned, paving the way for production of the missile, according to the Press Trust of India.
The 16-metric-ton weapon is capable of delivering a 1-ton nuclear or conventional warhead to a target more than 1,500 miles away. India's Agni 3 ballistic missile has a range approaching 1,900 miles (Agence France-Presse/Google News, May 19).