Agni-III may be test-fired next week

India may test fire its most powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-III next week from a test range in Orissa.

India may test fire its most powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the Agni-III capable of hitting targets 3,000 km away, anytime next week from a test range in Orissa.

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"We are ready for the launch of the missile and are waiting for favourable weather conditions," a top Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) official said.

The scientist said the DRDO is ready for test firing the missile which has the capability of carrying a one-tonne nuclear warhead.

DRDO chief M Natarajan had earlier gone on record saying that the organisation has made all preperations for launching the missile for the first time, and was awaiting a nod from the country's political leadership.

Agni-III, which has solid fuel boosters, was to be tested two years ago but the launch was put off at the last stages as scientists found some snags.