The missile was launched from a testing site at Chandipur on the Bay of Bengal in the eastern state of Orissa, the official said.

The BrahMos, which has a range of 280 kilometres (173 miles), has been tested repeatedly since its first launch in June 2001.

India has said an unspecified number of countries are interested in buying the eight-metre (26-foot) BrahMos, which in modified form can also be used in air or land combat.

Rival Pakistan has tested its nuclear-capable Hatf V twice since India's new government took office on May 22.

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