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The Daily Star

Publication Date : 29-01-2013

India yesterday successfully test-fired its first under-sea nuclear-capable ballistic missile off the coast of Bay of Bengal in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

The 10-metre-high Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), which can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead, was test-fired successfully from an under-the-sea pontoon.

The missile rose to an altitude of 20 kilometres and reached its full range of 700km before splashing down in the waters, V.K. Saraswat of Defence Research and Development Organisation told the media.

“This is a major milestone in the country's strategic defence capability,” he added.

With the completion of developmental trials, the missile with a strike range of 1,500km is now ready for integration with the Indian Navy's indigenously-built nuclear-powered submarine.

The ground and air missile capabilities, which can deliver nuclear warheads, are already with the Indian army and Air Force.

India is the fifth country to have underwater missile capability, the others being the United States, France, Russia and China.