Indian defence scientists are all set to test-fire the nuclear-capable, air force version of the surface-to-surface missile, Prithvi-II, on Sunday from a base in Orissa, defence sources said.
The test comes four months after the failed test firing of the intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) Agni-III.
The scientists are not taking any chances for Sunday's test from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, nearly 14 km from here and about 150 km from Orissa capital Bhubaneswar, and there were indications that the preparations had been underway for over a month.
"This missile will be test-fired from a mobile launcher from the Launching Complex 3 in the ITR campus. And we hope the countdown will be started as per the schedule," a defence scientist told IANS, requesting anonymity.