The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the successful completion of a test launch of the new version of a medium-range ballistic missile. 

The test, which was carried out on 23 April, was performed under the supervision of India’s Strategic Forces Command. 

It aimed to validate the operational readiness of the Command as well as assess the new technologies. 

A Business Standard report said that the new missile is not part of the existing 'Agni' series of ballistic missiles.  

According to media reports (unconfirmed), it is thought to be an air-launched ballistic missile, Crystal Maze 2. The test was conducted by a Su-30 MKI fighter jet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

In a separate development, the Defence Research & Development Organisation's (DRDO) Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur, India, has unveiled a new bullet-proof jacket.  

It is claimed to be the country’s lightest bullet-proof jacket. 

The new jacket underwent a series of tests at the DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, Punjab, India. 

The jacket's front hard armour panel (HAP) is capable of withstanding multiple hits from 7.62 x 54 R API sniper rounds across in-conjunction with (ICW) as well as standalone configurations.  

According to the Indian MoD, the areal density of the stand-alone HAP is less than 43kg/m², while the density of the ICW HAP is less than 40kg/m². 

In a post on X, DRDO said: “DMSRDE, Kanpur has successfully developed indigenous light weight Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) for protection against highest threat level 6 of BIS. This is the first of its kind in monolithic ceramic which can stop six 7.62x54 API bullets.”