The missile named Astra (Weapon) was tested from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the Orissa capital Bhubaneswar.

It was the debut test-firing of Astra, which is powered by solid propellant and has a strike range of 25 to 40 kilometres (15 to 25 miles).

The missile prototype was launched from a ground-based fixed launcher with the help of a booster engine.

Astra is a new system in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and more trials will be held in the next few days.

Defence analysts in New Delhi said the Astra was a tactical missile and part of India's missile development programme.

"Its significance lies in the fact that India has been able to acquire the ability to design and test fire air-to-air missiles of such parameters," said C.U. Bhaskar, deputy director of a New Delhi based military think-tank, the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

"It is niche capability which very few developing nations currently possess."

According to reports, the Astra missile is being developed for India's ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) christened "Tejas" (Brilliance) by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee last weekend.

The multi-role combat aircraft -- in development since 1983 -- has been a long-cherished dream of India's air force chiefs who want to reduce the country's dependency on foreign imports.

The fighter, whose development was partly delayed by the US sanctions imposed after the nuclear tests, can carry seven weapon stations and has a provision for inflight refuelling.

On Thursday Defence minister George Fernandes said two variants of India's nuclear-capable intermediate range Agni missile will be deployed this year.

Agni I has a range of 700 kilometres (437 miles) and Agni II a range of 2,000 kilometres.

Fernandes said a third variant, Agni III, with a range of 3,000 kilometres was under development.

"The development is in progress and the missile is likely to be tested in near future," the minister said.

Besides the Agni, India is also developing the short-range surface-to-surface Prithvi (Earth), the surface-to-air Akash (Sky) and the anti-tank Nag missiles.

India is also developing a supersonic cruise missile "BrahMos" in collaboration with Russia to arm Indian submarines and warships.

BrahMos travels at 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.

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