NEW DELHI — India’s efforts to develop heavier rockets received a boost with a recent test of its indigenously built, super-cooled cryogenic engine, which will be used to place a communications satellite into geosynchronous orbit later this year. The cryogenic engine is slated to fly on the country’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) as early as September, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief K. Radhakrishnan says. India started developing cryogenic rocket engine technology in 1993.

Pakistan on May 10 successfully test-fired a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the country’s military says. The Hatf-III, known as Ghaznavi, has a range of up to 290 km (180 mi.) and can also carry conventional warheads. The test-fire “was conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command,” Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) department says.

New Delhi – India has approved the purchase of 145 ultralight M777 howitzers from the U.S., the first major artillery buy since it inducted howitzer guns from Switzerland-based AB Bofors in 1987. “The purchase of the 155 mm lightweight towed howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems [Linaps] will be made through the U.S. government’s foreign military sales program,” a senior defense ministry official says. The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems ’ Global Combat Systems division.