India successfully test-fired a long-range nuclear-capable missile on Thursday from an island in the Bay of Bengal.
The test, the fifth of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile, was made from a mobile launcher, and "further strengthens our credible deterrence," the Defense Ministry said in a statement. India has been developing its nuclear and missile systems in recent years amid increasing strategic competition with China. The test was "a major boost to country's defense capabilities," the ministry said.
Beijing's powerful missile arsenal has driven New Delhi to improve its weapons systems in recent years, with the Agni-5 believed to be able to strike nearly all of China.
Tension flared last year between the two neighbors over a long-disputed section of their border high in the Himalayas. India is also increasingly suspicious of Beijing's efforts to heighten its influence in the Indian Ocean.
India is already able to strike anywhere inside neighboring Pakistan, its archrival.
Please click to read our informative text prepared pursuant to the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 and to get information about the cookies used on our website in accordance with the relevant legislation.
6698 sayılı Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu uyarınca hazırlanmış aydınlatma metnimizi okumak ve sitemizde ilgili mevzuata uygun olarak kullanılan çerezlerle ilgili bilgi almak için lütfen tıklayınız.