The test was the first to be conducted since nuclear rivals India and Pakistan reached a breakthrough agreement last week to resume formal peace talks, spurring hopes of an easing of tensions in South Asia.

"We launched the Akash from the national test range at 11:32 amand it successfully hit an airborne target," a defence ministry official said.

The 650-kilogram (1,430-pound) Akash, which has been tested five times, carries a 50-kilogram (110-pound) warhead and is designed to travel 25 kilometres (15.5 miles).

India and Pakistan, which came close to war in 2002 during a 10-month military standoff over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, frequently conduct missile tests.

India says the indigenously built Akash is its version of the US Patriot missile. The country wants to use the anti-aircraft missile as part of an air defence missile shield.

The missile was test fired from Chandipur-on-sea in eastern India.

India's other anti-aircraft missile, the Trishul (Trident), can deliver a 15-kilogram (33-pound) warhead up to nine kilometers (five miles) away.

Trishul has been tested eight times and will soon enter mass production.

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