India Set To Test Medium-Range Missile

India will test a medium-range surface missile next week to check its maneuverability, a news agency reported Saturday.

The Prithvi missile has a maximum range of 155 miles, meaning it could be an effective weapon against two of India’s neighbors, China and archrival Pakistan.

Tuesday’s test will be the 14th of the missile, whose name means “Earth” in Hindi. India has also tested a long-range missile, the Agni, with a range 1,500 miles.

International disarmament experts say India has the capability to arm such weapons with nuclear warheads.

The New York Times, quoting unidentified U.S. officials, also reported last month that India is preparing for its second nuclear test blast.

India denies it has an active nuclear weapons program.