India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Prithvi-II
Why in news?
India on Wednesday successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range in Odisha.
Highlights
- The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near Balasore at around 11.35 a.m.
- The missile trajectory was tracked by radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations by the DRDO along the coast of Odisha.
- Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines.
- The perfect test launch came after a successful trial of Agni-5 on January 18 and Agni-1 missile conducted from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast on February 6. Describing the trial as a complete success all mission objectives were met during the test launch.
- The state-of-the-art missile uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
- On November 21, 2016, two missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base and the last trial was successful on June 2, 2017, from the same base.
- Single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
Prithvi missile
- Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is deployed by India’s Strategic Forces Command.
- The Government of India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983 to achieve self-sufficiency in the development and production of wide range of ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles.
- Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under the program.
- It could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon.
Prithvi II
- Prithvi II class is also a single-stage liquid-fueled missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg, but with an extended range of 250 km (160 mi).
- It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user.
- It was first test-fired on 27 January 1996 and the development stages were completed in 2004.
- The missile was launched with an extended range of 350 km (220 mi) and had improved navigation due to an inertial navigation system.
- The missile features measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles.