New Delhi: India is all set to test-fire this year its new longer-range "Agni-III" surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

"Yes, the missile should be test-fired this year. We have so far not zeroed in on any date for its launch. This is just the beginning of the year," Defence Minister George Fernandes said.

On whether the missile would have a strike range of over 3,000 kms, Fernandes said, "I will not make any commitment on that."

He also parried a question if the missile would be test-fired from a mobile launcher like other such weapons in the country's arsenal. "At the appropriate time one will know about it," he said.

India has already operationalised 700-km range Agni-I and 2000-km range Agni-II, which are both capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Agni-III is being developed to have a range longer than Agni-II.

Replying to questions on acquisition of "Phalcon" airborne surveillance systems, Fernandes said that a memorandum of understanding has been reached with Israel and Russia and "things are moving". The Phalcon system would be mounted on a Russian-made IL-series aircraft. "We are producing our own Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). Work is on for the production of indigenous AWACS," he said.

Development of indigenous AWACS had received a set back following the crash of a HS-748 transport aircraft with a mounted rot dome near Chennai sometime back. "The technology that was developed did not get lost," Fernandes said.

On his decision to eliminate middlemen from Defence deals in the context of Tehelka expose on Arms purchases, he said, "To the extent possible the role of the middlemen have been eliminated.

"And now the question does not arise for the single reason that on the recommendation of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, we have started registering those who would like to act as intermediaries with any weapons-producing or weapons-marketing establishment. And conditions under which they will have to work have also been specified."

To a question about an opinion poll published by Tehelka newspaper that 70 per cent of Army personnel feel that corruption is prevalent, Fernandes said, "So far as the paper which carried the poll, I will not trust one single letter from the alphabet that it may try to hold up to make a point."

Asked about appointment of the much talked about Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Defence Minister said, "I am very sad that I have not been able to put the CDS in position. It will take some time, that is all I can say."

On whether India was planning to buy 155 mm long-range tracked guns, he said, "It is under consideration." In a bid to bolster Army's firepower, Government is understood to be planning to purchase 400 such guns with a range of 52 kms. The Bofors FH 77 155 mm guns being used by the Army have a range of 39 kms.

On the criticism that India has copied the design of AK-47 assault rifles invented by Mikhail Kalashnikov of Russia, Fernandes said he had a chat with him when he was in the country recently.

"Kalashnikov did not raise this issue with me. But I am aware of observations made in this regard. And I think he was satisfied with the explanation given to him that it is not a replica of what he invented, but it is something we have created with our own knowledge and experience. After all a gun is a gun."

Kanpur Ordnance Factory has been manufacturing assault rifles for the last two years and providing it to the security forces.

Giving details of his Ministry's achievements in the last five years, Fernandes said, "I believe that we are well equipped today both with what we have acquired and what is in the pipeline for the three services. This has given us the strength we never had."

At the same time, he said this was one area where technology changes very fast and it gets converted into weapons also equally fast.

"We are conscious of these developments and we are also moving through the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) into developing new technologies and equipping ourselves to meet any eventuality. The recent "Defence Expo" showcased our capability not only in terms of what we have acquired from anywhere within the country or outside but also what we have to offer today to the rest of the world," he said.