India issues notification for missile test in Bay of Bengal, range near 600km

New Delhi: A missile test will likely be conducted by India in the Bay of Bengal area between September 25 and 26. The notified area consists of an almost 600km range, signifying that there some kind of projectile test or tests will be carried out during the time frame.

The notification identifies the area that will be affected during the test period, allowing aircraft and vessels operating in the region to avoid the designated zone. Such advance notices are issued to ensure the safety of civilian and commercial traffic during planned defence-related activity and to keep other users away from potentially hazardous areas.

The missile system planned for the September 25–26 test has not been officially identified. However, the nearly 600km distance covered by the notification has led to speculation that the trial could involve one of several Indian missile systems, including the Pralay tactical ballistic missile, a Prithvi-series missile or a BrahMos variant.

The Pralay is a short-range surface-to-air ballistic missile with a range of 350–500km, according to reports. Extended-range versions of the BrahMos family have been developed, able to fly farther than the original 290km range. The notified distance alone, however, is not sufficient to establish which missile is involved, as the designated area can cover the broader flight path and safety zone associated with a test.

Further details about the weapon system, launch platform and purpose of the trial are expected to become clearer once the defence authorities release additional information. Until then, the September 25–26 notification confirms the planned test activity but does not identify the missile being tested.