According to officials, India could soon join the elite club of nations with intercontinental missiles following the first test flight of the new Agni-V missile.

The government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has said that it is planning the first test flight the long-range nuclear-capable Agni-V missile between Wednesday and Friday. The new rocket has a range of more than 5,000 kilo metres and is classified as a intercontinental missile.

DRDO spokesman Ravi Gupta said that the agency has not specified an exact launch date because the launch is the longest range missile and there are several logistics issues. The test is expected to be carried out from a coastal range in the eastern state of Orissa.

"Agni-V is a 5,000-plus kilometre range missile and it is to meet our present-day threat perceptions, which are determined by our defence forces and other agencies," Gupta said.

The three-stage Agni-V missile system, which will boost the country's nuclear capabilities significantly, comes after the testing of surface-to-surface missile two-stage Agni-IV. Agni-V and Agni-IV will provide a reliable deterrence against other countries with similar capabilities.

The Agni-V will feature Multiple Independently-Targeted Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs). Each missile will be able to carry 3-10 separate warheads.