India's Strategic Forces Command Successfully Tests New Variant Of Medium-Range Ballistic Missile

India on Tuesday (23 April) carried out a successful test firing of a new version of a medium-range ballistic missile.

The defence ministry said the user launch has proven the operational capability of the missile with new technologies.

The launch was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.

"A successful launch of the new variant of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command on April 23, 2024," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"The user launch has proven the operational capability of the Command and validated new technologies," it added.

The missile was flight tested from Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast and met the required parameters, PTI reported citing sources.

The missile is reportedly not from the 'Agni' family of weapons systems.

The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) forms part of India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). It is responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

The SFC manages and administers all strategic forces by exercising complete command and control over nuclear assets, and producing all contingency plans as needed to fulfill the required tasks.

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