India successfully carried out a “first pre-induction trial” of the Agni-V missile, in a move which will further ratchet up tensions with neighbours Pakistan.
The test took place from Abdul Island off the country’s east coast, the Indian defence ministry said.
They described the successful test as a “major boost” to the security of the country, which has hostile relations with its largest neighbour Pakistan.
Relations with China are also occasionally tense, with soldiers from both states engaged in a stand-off over a territorial dispute last year.
The missile has a range of 3,100 miles, bringing the whole of Asia within range of the country.
Parts of Europe and Africa are also within range of the ICBM, which can be fitted with a nuclear warhead.
The Agni-V rocket weighs more than 50 tonnes and is built to carry a nuclear warhead weighting 1.5 tonnes.
A defence ministry official said: “The missile’s flight performance was tracked and monitored by radars, range stations and tracking systems all through the mission.
“All mission objectives were successfully met. This successful test of Agni-V reaffirms the country’s indigenous missile capabilities and further strengthens our credible deterrence.”
Another source said the missile would prove incredibly valuable due to its rapid deployment time.
He told the Times of India: “Since the missile is already mated with its nuclear warhead before being sealed in the canister, it drastically cuts down the response or reaction time for a retaliatory strike.
“Only the authorised electronic codes have to be fed to unlock and prime it for launch.”
A third source said the country will hold another test “within this year”.
New Delhi hope the test will successfully confirm their ability to fire a ICBM more than 5,000 km (3,100 miles).
They would join an exclusive nuclear club only currently including America, Russia, China, the UK and France.