Rhino
07-10-2006, 09:11 AM
India's First Nuclear-Capable Missile Test Fails
Monday, July 10, 2006
NEW DELHI — The first test-firing of a new Indian missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East was unsuccessful, the defense minister said.
Although initially reported as a success by officials, the Agni III missile plunged into the Bay of Bengal short of its target, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters late Sunday.
The launch came as U.S. President George W. Bush is trying to push a civilian nuclear deal with India through a skeptical U.S. Congress. The deal would permit India to keep making nuclear weapons without ratifying the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and critics say it could undermine the treaty.
Although the deal does not cover missiles, The Hindu newspaper reported Monday that American's top general, Peter Pace, gave Indian officials the green light to conduct the test when he visited India last month.
The test had been reportedly delayed for two years by technical issues and fears of international condemnation.
Mukherjee, who witnessed Sunday's test, said India would press ahead with the Agni III program........http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202762,00.html
Monday, July 10, 2006
NEW DELHI — The first test-firing of a new Indian missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East was unsuccessful, the defense minister said.
Although initially reported as a success by officials, the Agni III missile plunged into the Bay of Bengal short of its target, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters late Sunday.
The launch came as U.S. President George W. Bush is trying to push a civilian nuclear deal with India through a skeptical U.S. Congress. The deal would permit India to keep making nuclear weapons without ratifying the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and critics say it could undermine the treaty.
Although the deal does not cover missiles, The Hindu newspaper reported Monday that American's top general, Peter Pace, gave Indian officials the green light to conduct the test when he visited India last month.
The test had been reportedly delayed for two years by technical issues and fears of international condemnation.
Mukherjee, who witnessed Sunday's test, said India would press ahead with the Agni III program........http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202762,00.html