BHUBANESHWAR, 8 November 2004 — India yesterday tested a nuclear capable ship-launched missile off its eastern coast, an official said.
The Dhanush missile, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, was launched from an Indian Navy ship in the Bay of Bengal, the official said on condition of anonymity. The missile, with a strike range of 250 kilometers (156 miles), can carry a load of 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), he said.
“Dhanush,” which means “bow” in the Hindi language, was tested from the ship, INS Subhadra some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from India’s missile testing site at Chandipur-on-Sea in the eastern state of Orissa. The site is 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) southeast of New Delhi.
Pakistan, which also routinely carries out missile tests, declined comment on the Indian action but said it was against an arms race in South Asia.
“Pakistan will not get into an arms race in the region,” said Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the top army spokesman. “We will maintain a minimum credible deterrence,” he said.
