New Delhi  - India successfully tested its nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi missile from a test range in eastern Orissa state on Friday, defence officials said.

Prithvi, which means the earth in Hindi, is India's most sophisticated medium-range missile that can cover a range of between 150 to 250 kilometres.

It was launched from the Integrated Test Range of Chandipore in Orissa, a Defence Ministry spokesman said in New Delhi.

"The Prithvi II missile was tested as part of a user's trial and the test was successful. It took off from the base and reached the designated target in the Bay of Bengal," he said.

Versions of the Prithvi have already been inducted into the Indian army and air force.

While the Prithvi I, which has a range of 150 kilometres, was inducted in the army in 1994, the Prithvi II has an extended range of 250 kilometres and was developed for the air force.

The PTI news agency reported that the user's trial on Friday was aimed at further fine-tuning the sophisticated missile's delivery, control and guidance system.

"All parameters of the missile are now being analysed after the successful test fire," unnamed defence officials told the news agency.

The 8.56 metre-long and one metre thick Prithvi missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kilogrammes of explosives.

Powered by liquid propellant, Prithvi can operate with both liquid as well as solid fuel and takes about 300 seconds to reach a target located at a distance of 150 kilometres.

Prithvi is one of five missiles under various stages of development by the DRDO under India's integrated missile development programme.

South Asian nuclear-capable neighbours India and Pakistan routinely test missiles. They have an arrangement by which they give each other prior information on such tests. (dpa)