Orissa: India successfully tests Dhanush ballistic missile

Bhubaneswar, Nov 23: India on Saturday successfully tested its nuclear-capable ballistic missile Dhanush from a naval ship in the Bay of Bengal, an official said.

The missile was fired from a naval ship as part of the training exercise of the Indian Navy, M.V.K.V. Prasad, the director of the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district, told IANS.

Dhanush capable of carrying nuclear payload of more than 500 kg

"The test was successful," he said, but declined to specify the exact location in the Bay of Bengal where it took place.

Dhanush is a naval version of the nuclear-capable ballistic missile Prithvi. It has a range of 350 km and is capable of carrying a conventional as well as nuclear payload of more than 500 kg. It can hit both land and sea-based targets.

The missile gives the Indian Navy the capability to strike enemy targets with great precision. It is one of the five missiles developed by the DRDO.

IANS