India plans to test-fire the 5,000-km range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile, Agni 5 next month, a top defence official said, according to The Times of India.

"Right now we are doing integration in respect of Agni 5," V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, told reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the silver jubilee of Defence Avionics and Research Establishment, a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation. "Integration of Agni 5 is on, one at Hyderabad and the other at Wheeler Island.

"In late March we will be launching this ICBM," Saraswat, also DRDO chief, said. For the launch, DRDO "will need major support from ships... So, we have to tie-up with other services. Ships are one of factors," he said. Responding to questions, Saraswat said the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft should take to the skies on its maiden flight in a month's time.

"Already, taxiing trials are underway," he said.