Bhubaneswar, June 3: The nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile was successfully test-fired on Sunday. The surface-to-surface striker was launched from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Abdul Kalam Island, at 9:48 am.

This is the sixth test-fire of the indigenously developed missile. It was lasted tested earlier this year on January 18. Agni-5, after its launch in 2012, was tested in 2013, 2015 and 2016 as well. The missile-test, analysts claim, is being keenly observed by neighbouring countries, as it has a range of striking as far as Beijing.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Agni-V is the most advanced version of the Agni series, part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme that started in the 1960s.

It has a range of 5,000 km and can reach the northernmost parts of China.

With the top missile added to its arsenal, India has joined the elite list of US, Russia, the UK, France and China, all of which boast having ICBM capabilities.

The sixth test-fire in Odisha also comes days after the 20th anniversary of Pokhran-II tests, when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee defied all international warnings and went ahead with the nuclear test-fire.

In another boost to the Indian defence arsenal, the DRDO had on May 21 successfully test-fired the long-range Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. The variants of the missile could be launched from land, air, sea, as well as under water, the DRDO had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 03, 2018 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).