NEW DELHI, India, Jan. 17 — India successfully test-fired a longer-range version of its intermediate-range Agni ballistic missile from its eastern coast on Wednesday, the defense ministry said. It was the second test of the upgraded version of the original Agni, a two-stage all-solid motor missile with a range of about 1,250 miles.
THE FIRST test was held in April 1999, prompting tests within days by Pakistan of its medium-range Ghauri II missile.
Agni, named after a Hindu fire god, is seen as a potential deterrent to India’s nuclear-armed neighbor China. It is part of a wide-ranging missile development program.
NBC’s Robert Windrem reported that the Agni II is not yet fully operational and was mothballed until Pakistan obtained a North Korean missile in 1998, after which India immediately revived its long-range missile program. The success of the Agni on Wednesday will bolster New Delhi’s program.
Senior U.S. intelligence officials told Windrem that the Agni II’s primary focus is maintaining a weapon that is capable of reaching China. The officials said that India’s Agni II can carry nuclear warheads and strike targets deep within China as well as Pakistan.
A previous test of Agni II sent the missile into the Bay of Bengal.
India carried out nuclear tests in 1998 and declared itself a nuclear weapons state. Since then it has said it will build a minimum credible nuclear deterrent.
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-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed
THE FIRST test was held in April 1999, prompting tests within days by Pakistan of its medium-range Ghauri II missile.
Agni, named after a Hindu fire god, is seen as a potential deterrent to India’s nuclear-armed neighbor China. It is part of a wide-ranging missile development program.
NBC’s Robert Windrem reported that the Agni II is not yet fully operational and was mothballed until Pakistan obtained a North Korean missile in 1998, after which India immediately revived its long-range missile program. The success of the Agni on Wednesday will bolster New Delhi’s program.
Senior U.S. intelligence officials told Windrem that the Agni II’s primary focus is maintaining a weapon that is capable of reaching China. The officials said that India’s Agni II can carry nuclear warheads and strike targets deep within China as well as Pakistan.
A previous test of Agni II sent the missile into the Bay of Bengal.
India carried out nuclear tests in 1998 and declared itself a nuclear weapons state. Since then it has said it will build a minimum credible nuclear deterrent.
Want to learn more?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/517455.asp
------------------
-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed