Ministry Of Defence Denies Testing Of Sagarkia Submarine Launched Missile: PTI
Dated 11/9/2007
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In the apparent run-up to its first launch of a submarine-launched missile, India today carried out "technological development tests" to validate potential underwater launch capabilities.
"Technology elements for potential underwater launch capabilities are in progress," a Defence Ministry spokesman said here today, clarifying that no test firing had been undertaken of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
The trials are being undertaken in the Bay of Bengal, a brief statement from the ministry said. Earlier reports had said that India had carried out a test firing of a SLBM with a range of 1,500 km. "No SLBM of the stated range has been launched," the spokesman said.
The trials being undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation assume significance in the wake of a recent statement by Defence Minister A K Antony that India has produced a submarine-launched version of the BrahMos cruise missile. "The submarine-launched missile is ready and awaiting a necessary platform for trial," Antony had told Parliament.
The Navy will soon identify the platform to carry out such a test, he said. When the DRDO carries out the successful launch of such a missile, India will join a select band of countries having such a capability that is a key element in nuclear deterrence. The Navy's Russian-made Kilo-class submarines and the German-designed HDW submarines do not have the capability to fire such missiles. According to reports, New Delhi has approached Moscow for lending it one of its advanced submarines to carry out the launch.