Posted on 01/21/2009 6:26:52 AM PST by rmarley
New Delhi: The army tested its nuclear-capable Brahmos supersonic cruise missile yesterday in a province bordering Pakistan, despite already tense relations with Islamabad following the Mumbai terror attacks, a news report said.
New Delhi and Islamabad regularly test missiles, but normally only give each other prior notice for long-range launches. It was not immediately clear whether India informed Pakistan ahead of yesterday's test.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the test was planned and not directed at any country, the Press Trust of India news agency reported
Defence ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.
The test comes amid increased tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours over the terror attacks on Mumbai in November. India says Pakistan-based militants plotted and executed the attacks that killed 164 people and has repeatedly insinuated that Pakistani intelligence agents were involved.
The Brahmos missile, jointly developed with Russia, can carry a 200-kg nuclear warhead and has a maximum range of 290km.
The missile was tested in the western desert state of Rajasthan that borders Pakistan, the news agency said.
The missile, which has already been test-fired more than a dozen times, can fly at 2.8 times the speed of sound and can be launched from land, ships, submarines and aircraft.
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