India successfully test-fired surface-to-surface nuclear capable Prithvi II ballistic missile in the eastern state of Orissa on Thursday.

The Prithvi missile was fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 230 km east of Bhubaneswar at 9 a.m.,a defense ministry official told local media.

“The flight test of the Prithvi II was like a text book launch,” an ITR official said.

The Prithvi missile with a range of 220 miles (350 kilometers) is capable of carrying a weapon of 1,100 to 2,200 pounds.

India and Pakistan are continuously developing new ballistic and cruise missile systems which are capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

“The South Asian neighbors have added 20-30 nuclear warheads each to their weapon store in the past year,” the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said.

India Nuclear weapons Ma India