Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired

India on 16 February test-fired its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile, which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads, as part of a user trial by the army from a test range at Chandipur.

The missile test was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 1000 hrs, defence officials said.

With a strike range of 350 km, the surface-to-surface Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrust by liquid propulsion twin engines.

It uses advanced inertial guidance system with maneuvering trajectory to hit its target.

The trial data of the missile trial conducted by the specially formed Strategic Force Command (SFC) were being analysed, the officials said.

The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the launch activities were carried out by the SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a defence scientist said.

The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha.

The downrange teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown, the officials said.

Inducted into India's armed forces in 2003, Prithvi II, the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's prestigious IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program) is now a proven technology.

The officials said that 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 last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully conducted on November 26, 2015 from the same test range in Odisha.

- With agency inputs