Advertisement

India touts successful test of locally designed cruise missile

India says it has completed a second flight test of its Nirbhay cruise missile.

By Richard Tomkins
India launches Nirbhay cruise missile. (Defence Research and Development Organization of India)
1 of 2 | India launches Nirbhay cruise missile. (Defence Research and Development Organization of India)

NEW DELHI, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The second test flight of India's Nirbhay long-range cruise missile achieved all its mission objectives, the India Defense R&D Organization reports.

The missile, the first Indian cruise missile designed and developed locally, flew 621 miles in a 70-minute flight.

Advertisement

"The missile maintained an accuracy better than 10 meters (32.8 feet) throughout its path and covered a distance of more than 1,000 km," said Dr. Avinash Chander. "The successful indigenous development of Nirbhay cruise missile will fill a vital gap in the war fighting capabilities of our armed forces."

The Nirbhay was developed by India's ADE, or Aeronautical Development Establishment. It was first flight tested in March of 2013 but the demonstration was terminated after a component malfunction and a deviation from its flight path.

The Nirbhay is a subsonic weapon. It weighs about 2,200 pounds and is expected to enter full production in 2016.

Latest Headlines