India again successfully test-fires N-capable Prithvi-II missile

India, continuing to test its indigenously developed nuclear-capable missiles, yeterday test-fired the medium-range Prithvi-II from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha. The surface-to-surface missile is capable of carrying a 500 to 1,000 kg warhead with a strike range of 350 km.

The test was carried out as part of a user trial by the Army. The Prithvi-II was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from the launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at about 9:48am.

"The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed Strategic Force Command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) as part of a training exercise," the Indian Army said.

"The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," it added. "Downrange teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown."

Inducted into India's SFC in 2003, Prithvi-II, the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's prestigious IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme), is now a proven technology, said a defence source.

"The launch was part of a regular training exercise of SFC and was monitored by DRDO scientists," the source said.

Such training launches clearly indicate India's operational readiness to meet any eventuality and also establishes the reliability of this deterrent component of India's Strategic arsenal, the source said.

Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory.

The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on December 3 last.