NEW DELHI India on Monday successfully tested an interceptor missile capable of destroying an incoming ballistic missile, after cancelling a launch earlier this year due to technical glitches.

The test was carried out from a range in Chandipur, in eastern Orissa state, a defence ministry official said.

The interceptor missile, developed by Indias state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation, destroyed an incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 kilometres in the Bay of Bengal, the official said.

This was the third successful test firing of the missile, following launches in 2006 and 2007. Another test in March last year went awry and a similar test scheduled for March of this year was called off at the last minute due to a technical snag.

“This test is significant as far as developing Indias indigenous capability to neutralise an incoming missile is concerned. But it would take several years before it is inducted into the military,” said Rahul Bedi, a South Asia analyst with London-based Jane's Defense Weekly.

India's current crop of missiles are mostly intended for confronting Pakistan, but the Agni-II, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometres, can put areas in southern China within striking distance.—AP