India tests surface-to-air missile: Defence Ministry

India on Friday successfully tested its surface-to-air Akash missile at an eastern coastal site, the second firing of the weapon in as many days, defence officials said.

The missile blasted off from the Chandipur-on-Sea testing site, 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of Orissa state capital Bhubaneswar, a defence ministry official said.

The test of the Akash missile on Thursday was also described as a success. The 700-kilogramme (1,540-pound) Akash, meaning “sky” in Hindi, has a range of 27 kilometres and can carry a 55-kilogramme warhead.

The tests came days after India announced plans to increase its nuclear prowess with a ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 6,000 kilometres away.

New Delhi also announced two tests this month of Indian-manufactured interceptor missiles.

India has built a range of ballistic and cruise missiles as a deterrent to China and Pakistan.

Bhubaneswar, Friday, AFP