Indian Air Force jet test fires Harpoon missile

NEW DELHI, May 29 (UPI) -- An anti-ship Harpoon missile has been fired for the first time by an Indian Air Force jet during testing against a target in the Arabian Sea.

The Hindustan Times on Friday reported the test occurred last week about 200 nautical miles off India's west coast and involved an IAF Jaguar, which was refueled during flight to carry out the mission.

The report was based on information from an unidentified official source, who said the test was the first live-firing of an Harpoon since the Boeing-made missile was integrated onto the IAF Jaguar.

The missile proved successful in destroying its predetermined target, the newspaper reported.

The Hapoon missile was first introduced into service in 1977. It has a range of more than 67 nautical miles and a speed of 537 miles per hour. Although considered a maritime target missile, the weapon is also capable of destroying land targets.