India, on 15 June, successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile during night time as part of a user training trial from a test range off the Odisha coast.
The DRDO said: “Prithvi-2 missile test-fired successfully and the test met all parameters”.
The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
Earlier, Prithvi-II also was successfully test-fired during night time on February 21, 2018 from the ITR at Chandipur. Later on November 20, 2019, two trials consecutively of Prithvi-II were conducted successfully during night time from the same base.
Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. The state-of-the-art missile uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvering trajectory to hit its target.
In salvo mode, on November 21, 2016, two missiles were successfully test-fired in quick succession from the same base.
Already inducted into the armory of Indian defence forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled “Prithvi” is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
