India tests nuke-capable missile Agni-I

NEW DELHI, March 14: India on Monday announced the successful test launch of a nuclear-capableintermediate range Agni-I ballistic missile, capable of hitting a target 700 kms away, from a test range off Odisha coast, the Indian media reported.
The surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 9:15 AM from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island), an Indian defence official said.
According to details, the missile, equipped with sophisticated navigation system, covered 700 km distance within 9 minutes and 36 seconds.
Weighing around 12 tonnes, the missile is designed to carry a payload of more than one tonne and the strike range can be extended by reducing the payload.
The new right-wing BJP government has cleared long-delayed projects worth over $16 billion since storming to power at elections.
Modi has pushed for greater indigenisation of its defence industry, saying India must build up its military might to the point that no other country “dare cast an evil eye” on the South Asian nation.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), during the 2011-2015 timeframe, Indian was responsible for 14% of all total international arms imports globally. India’s imports, according to SIPRI, increased 90% as compared against the 2006-2010 timeframe.By these measurements, New Delhi imports close to three times more than its closest regional rivals, Pakistan and China.
India’s reliance on imports is largely due to the country’s slow start at creating a domestic arms industry.-Agencies