India Test Fired Nuclear Capable ICBM Agni-5

India has successfully launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile able to carry a nuclear warhead, officials say.

Agni-5 test launch [screen shot from BBC video]

The Agni-V missile was launched from It was launched from Wheeler Island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa at 0805 local time (0235GMT) on Thursday and took 20 minutes to hit its target somewhere near Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

Rahul Bedi, Defence analyst says:

With the launch of locally-developed Agni-V, India has joined a small group of countries - up to now only the nuclear-armed powers - with inter-continental range ballistic missiles.

A successful test flight of the missile will strengthen India's nuclear deterrence once it comes into service by 2014-15.

With a range of 5,000km (3,100 miles), the Agni-V is capable of delivering a single 1.5-ton warhead deep inside nuclear rival China's territory.

Read more / watch video of missile launch: BBC News 

Posted in: Agni-5, Ballistic Missile, ICBM, India, Nuclear Weapons, Test Fire