"The test firing of the Agni-III is overdue and we feel the need for that long-range missile as part of our policy of deterrence," Fernandes told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

Two other variants of the missile -- the Agni-I, with a range of 700 kilometres (437 miles) and the Agni-II, with a 2,000 kilometre (1,240 mile) range -- were at present "available for deployment," he said.

When asked about the range for the Agni-III, Fernandes said it would be more than 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles).

India reportedly began developing Agni-III in 1999 and reports have suggested it could achieve a range of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles).

"The date (for the Agni-III test) has not been firmed up. The effort is to see that it is test fired this year," Fernandes said.

Agni-III can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead, according to defence sources.

The missiles will be deployed with the army or with strategic forces, depending on "the situation that will demand their use," he said.

The minister also said development of the surface-to-air Trishul (Trident) missile had been shelved.

But he said he was proud of the success of "BrahMos" a supersonic cruise missile jointly produced by India and Russia to arm Indian submarines and warships.

BrahMos travels 2.8 times the speed of sound and can hit targets 290 kilometres (180 miles) away with a 300 kilogram (990-pound) non-nuclear warhead.

It has been test-flown four times since 2001 and is likely to enter mass production by the end of the year.

Fernandes described BrahMos as "something exclusive."

"Nobody has this missile today," he said adding all its testing was complete.

Fernandes said a decision on the acquisition of the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJTs) for the Indian Air Force "may be taken in the next three to four months."

Any deal on the AJTs would involve delivery of some aircraft and production of the rest in India, he said.

The air force has been looking since 1985 for suitable jets to train pilots graduating from subsonic trainers to supersonic fighters.

The air force has suffered a string of accidents involving Russian-made supersonic MiG fighters.

SPACE.WIRE