Posted on 04/18/2012 9:12:30 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
UPDATE 1-India tests long-range missile; capable of reaching China
(Reuters) - India test-fired a long range missile capable of reaching deep into China and Europe on Thursday, thrusting the emerging Asian power into an elite club of nations with intercontinental nuclear weapons capabilities.
A scientist at the launch site said the launch was successful, minutes after television images showed the rocket with a range of more than 5,000 km (3,100 miles) blasting through clouds from an island off India's east coast.
"It has met all the mission objectives," S.P.Dash, director of the test range, told Reuters. "It hit the target with very good accuracy."
The Indian-made Agni V is the crowning achievement of a now-mothballed missile programme developed primarily with a possible threat from neighbouring China in mind.
Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.
Fast emerging as a world economic power, India is keen to play a larger role on the global stage and has long angled for a permanent seat on the Security Council. In recent years it has emerged as the world's top arms importer as it rushes to upgrade equipment for a large but outdated military.
"It is one of the ways of signalling India's arrival on the global stage, that India deserves to be sitting at the high table," said Harsh Pant, a defence expert at King's College, London, describing the launch as a "confidence boost".
The launch, which was flagged well in advance, has attracted none of the criticism from the West faced by hermit state North Korea for a failed bid to send up a similar rocket last week.
But China noted the launch with disapproval.
"The West chooses to overlook India's
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
India had an ICBM capability decades ago when she launched geosynchronous satellites - a technology that is technically capable of placing a nuclear payload on any spot on our planet. This is more or less designating the same technology with a military purpose.
This youtube video is a few years old now, but still relevant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjB_Tf7Cy3A&feature=related
Ping.
A lot of saber rattling in Asia this month.
On Wednesday, NATO said it did not consider India a threat. The U.S. State Department said India’s non-proliferation record was “solid,” while urging restraint.
India borders China. Isn't this like saying Mexico has a long range missile capable of reaching Texas?
Beijing and Shanghai are not exactly the same distance from the Indian border as Texas is from Mexico.
This is more like Mexico reaching capable of reaching the northern end of Alaska.
There's a difference between Mexico being able to hit San Jose, California, and Mexico being able to hit DC, Chicago, and NYC.
India is announcing that it's able to hit any significant spot in China, as well as the Arab world, Russia, Indonesia, etc. See the article map.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.