India successfully test fires nuclear-capable Dhanush missile

Balasore (Orissa): India on Sunday successfully test fired nuclear-capable ballistic missile Dhanush, from a naval ship near Balasore testing range in Orissa.

The single-stage ship-based missile, which has a range of 350 kilometers, was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The trial was conducted in the presence of DRDO scientists and Defence officials.

According to the Defence Ministry, the test was conducted at around 11.30 a.m.

The Dhanush has a capacity to carry 500 kilograms of payload, and is also capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The missile is developed to attain both in sea and shore-based targets.

The Dhanush, which has liquid propellant, is the naval version of indigenously developed surface-to-surface Prithvi missile.

According to sources, the test launch has been tracked from its take-off to impact point through an integrated network of sophisticated radars and electro-optic instruments for post-mission data analyses.

The last trial of Dhanush was successfully conducted from a naval ship off Orissa coast on March 30, 2007.

Earlier in April 2000, Dhanush had failed in its first test at the development stage due to certain technical problems. (ANI)