India test fired on Thursday ashort-range, surface-to-air missile that can hit targets up to25 km (15 miles) away.
Akash, which means sky in Hindi, can carry a payload of 55kg (120 lb) and has been undergoing user trials.
The missile was fired from a launchpad in Chandipur in theeastern coastal state of Orissa, a Defence Ministry officialsaid, describing the test as routine.
India is developing a range of missiles as a deterrentagainst nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and China. Earlierthis month, it conducted several tests of its air-to-air missileAstra, which has a range of 40 km (25 miles).
