Balasore: A short-range variant of India''s Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, the Agni-1, was successfully test-fired by the country''s Strategic Forces Command at Chandipur-at-Sea near Balasore in Orissa at 10.35 this morning.

According to a government statement, "the performance parameters of the 700 km range missile were as expected and the desired objectives have been met."

Basically a users trial for the Indian Army, the test was conducted from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch complex, defence sources said. The sources also said that there were "considerable improvements" in the missile''s re-entry technology and manoeuvrability as compared to the initial versions of the missile.

This is the fourth test firing of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which is capable of striking targets up to a distance of 700 km.

The first test firing of the missile was carried out on January 25, 2002, while the second and third trials were conducted on January 9, 2003 and July 4, 2004. All tests have been carried out from the Wheelers Island launching site.