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Indian navy successfully test fires surface-to-air missile from aircraft carrier

By Amy R. Connolly
India's navy announced Friday it successfully fired its first surface-to-air missile from its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Photo courtesy Indian navy.
India's navy announced Friday it successfully fired its first surface-to-air missile from its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Photo courtesy Indian navy.

March 25 (UPI) -- India's navy announced Friday it successfully fired its first surface-to-air missile from its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The test firing, conducted in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, was part of the Operational Readiness Inspection program and marks a major milestone in the country's defense capabilities. The missile was fired at a live low-flying, high-speed target, officials said.

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"The target was successfully engaged and destroyed," the navy said. "The missile marks a significant milestone in providing air interception and defence capabilities, thus enhancing operational capabilities of the navy's aircraft carrier and the fleet."

INS Vikramaditya is the country's sole aircraft carrier and was retrofitted with a Barak missile system. The Kiev-class vessel was built in 1987 and served the Soviet navy and was originally named Baku. It was later renamed Admiral Gorshkov under the Russian navy. The Indian navy purchased the vessel in 2004.

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