A successful test firing of two nuclear capable Prithvi-II medium-range ballistic missiles, was conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on November 21, 2016, back-to-back in quick succession, as part of training exercise, from a defence test center Chandipur in Odisha.
- The two surface-to-surface missiles were mounted on two Mobile Tatra Transporter-erector Launchers (MTL) and launched from the launching complex-III (LC-III) of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
- The first missile was fired at about 9.37 AM and the second one at 9.38 AM.Both the medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) have a strike range of around 350 km and a tendency to carry about 500 kg to 1,000 kg of weapons.
- The missiles have been randomly chosen from the production stock and the launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise.
- The missile flights were tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and remote stations located along the coast of Odisha.
- A similar twin trial was conducted on October 12, 2009 from the same centre where both tests were successful but the test was not in quick succession.
- This was the first test fire in a range of three nuclear missile tests that have been lined up in a row. Along with Prithvi-II, the other two missiles include the most sophisticated Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor which is capable of destroying incoming enemy missiles of more than 2,000 km range and the Agni-I with a 700 km range.
Agni-I and AAD interceptor will be launched from LC-IV in the Abdul Kalam Island in full operational configuration on November 22 and November 23 respectively.
About Prithvi
- 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 Prithvi missile project have three variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
- Prithvi I: Indian Army
- Prithvi II: Indian Air Force
- Prithvi III: Indian Navy
About Prithvi II :
Prithvi II is the first missile to be made under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The first test fire of this missile was carried out in 1996 and and inducted in the Armed forces in 2002.
Features of Prithvi-II Missile
- Type           : Surface-to-Surface
- Length                 : Nine meters
- Diameter        : One meter
- Strike range         : 350 km
- Launch weight      : 4.6 tonne
- Propellant Used    : Liquid
- Warhead              : Both conventional and nuclear weapon
