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NEW DELHI - India tested a nuclear-capable missile designed to be launched from a submarine, in a move aimed at expanding India's ability to respond in case of a nuclear attack, officials said Tuesday.
It was unclear if the testing was successful.
"We are still awaiting reports from the testing site," said Gen. Umang Kapoor, a spokesman for the state-run Defense Research and Development Organization, which carried out the test.
The missile has a range of 435 miles and was test-fired from an underwater platform immersed in the Bay of Bengal. India is building a nuclear-powered submarine expected to start sea trials next year. It would be able to launch ballistic missiles.
Submarine-launched ballistic missiles would give India second strike capabilities if its land- or air-based weapons were disabled.
India's current crop of missiles includes the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag and the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia.
It was unclear if the testing was successful.
"We are still awaiting reports from the testing site," said Gen. Umang Kapoor, a spokesman for the state-run Defense Research and Development Organization, which carried out the test.
The missile has a range of 435 miles and was test-fired from an underwater platform immersed in the Bay of Bengal. India is building a nuclear-powered submarine expected to start sea trials next year. It would be able to launch ballistic missiles.
Submarine-launched ballistic missiles would give India second strike capabilities if its land- or air-based weapons were disabled.
India's current crop of missiles includes the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag and the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia.