Scientists prepare to test submarine-launched missile from land

Balasore (Orissa), Nov 11 (IANS) Scientists have stepped up preparations for the first test-firing from land of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-15 from a defence base in Orissa, officials said Tuesday.

Preparations are nearing the final stage of enabling a launch that may take place Wednesday from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in the district of Balasore, about 230 km from capital Bhubaneswar, defence officials said.

The two-stage missile, which can carry a payload up to one tonne, has a highest range of 700 km. It had earlier undergone four tests from the underwater platform.

The K-15 missile has a length of around 11 meters, larger than the 8.5-metre-long Prithvi short-range ballistic missile but smaller than 15-metre-long Agni-1 Ballistic missile.