India successfully test fires nuclear missile

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LBCI News Lebanon

India successfully test-fired for a third time a nuclear-capable missile on Saturday (January 31) that can reach Beijing and Eastern Europe, bringing a step closer production of a weapon designed to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.

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Footage showed the Agni-V rocket, with a range of more than 5,000 km (3,100 miles), blasting off from an island off Odisha.

It was not immediately clear how far the rocket flew before reaching its target in the Indian Ocean.

This was third developmental trial of the surface-to-surface missile.

The first test was conducted on 19 April, 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.

Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar, welcomed the achievement.

"There should be more success from the DRDO - more activity and more final solutions," said Parrikar in New Delhi.

Almost entirely Indian-made, 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. It will not be operational for at least two years, the government has said.

Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.