Prometheus 6

Thursday's test was all the more significant as the missile was built with 85 percent Indian know-how.

'We have developed the capacity for the balance 15 percent and will be progressively introducing this,' Natarajan added.

Agni-III range can extend to 5,000 km: scientists

Buoyed by the successful test firing of a nuclear capable ballistic missile they designed and developed, Indian scientists confidently declared Friday it could be inducted into service in two to three years, even as they said its range could be extended to 5,000 km.

From correspondents in Delhi, India, 13 Apr 2007 - (www.indiaenews.com)

Buoyed by the successful test firing of a nuclear capable ballistic missile they designed and developed, Indian scientists confidently declared Friday it could be inducted into service in two to three years, even as they said its range could be extended to 5,000 km.

Agni-III, a 3,000-km range intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) that was sent aloft from a defence base in Orissa Thursday, 'would be the stepping stone to build capability for a longer range of 5,000 km,' M. Natarajan, head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which developed the system, told reporters here Friday.

Agni-III is a two-stage missile 'and we could squeeze in a third stage to enhance its capability. I don't have a solution now but we will work toward building capability on the basis of our success with the first and second stage motors,' said Natarajan, who is also the scientific advisor to the defence minister.

'We would need to conduct more tests for another two to three years to build confidence levels before we declare it safe for handing over to the armed forces,' he added.