India's first test of an upgraded version of its Agni-II nuclear-capable missile was unsuccessful Friday as the missile plunged into the Bay of Bengal, news reports said.
The "Agni-II plus" medium-range missile was tested from a defence base off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa but fell into the sea seconds after its launch, the NDTV network reported, quoting defence sources, DPA reported.
It was not immediately clear why the test failed. "We are still investigating how it happened," an official told the online edition of the Indian Express newspaper.
Defence Ministry officials in New Delhi declined to comment, saying they had yet to receive updated information on the test.
The Agni-II plus is said to be an intermediate missile between the Agni-II and Agni-III, India's most powerful missile.
The surface-to-surface missile has a strike range of 2,500 to 3,000 kilometres. The Agni-II has a range capability of 2,000 kilometres while the Agni-III can cover up to 3,500 kilometres.
Scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organization said the modified missile would bridge the gap between the two missiles.
Besides greater range, the upgraded missile would also have better accuracy because it has an improved navigation system, they said.
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