India's Defence Research and Development Organization under the country's defense ministry is preparing to test various intercontinental ballistic missiles with the ability to attack targets in the Far East, Africa and even Europe according to the official website of the People's Liberation Army's China Defense Science and Technology Information Center.
A source from the Indian military said that the country is ready to test three types of Agni intercontinental missiles after the launch of the Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile in November. The missiles include the Agni-II, with a range 2,000 kilometers, and perhaps even the Agni-IV, with a range of 4,000 km, the source said, while the Defence Research and Development Organization said the Agni-V, estimated to have a range of 5,000-8,000 kilometers, will be tested as well.
The Agni-V's first test was in April 2012. On Sept. 15, the Agni-V completed its second test. Both tests were launched from road-mobile launchers. Its latest test took place on Wheeler island in the Indian Ocean. The Defense Science and Technology Information Center believes, the road-mobile launcher allows the Agni-V more mobility against a potential enemy attack. Like Russia's Topol road-mobile missile, it is hard for satellites to detect.
China has developed DF-21 missiles to enable it to confront all of its potential enemies in Asia, including India. When launched from bases in Liaoning, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Fujian and Qinghai, the DF-21 can reach all major targets in Japan, South Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Vietnam, India and Central Asia. The DF-31B road-mobile launcher, with an attacking range of 9,000 km and the ability to carry multiple warheads, is another weapon in China's arsenal which could be used to counter the Agni-V.
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