India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile during nighttime as part of a user training trial from a test range off the Odisha coast. An official statement says: A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out today at approximately 1930 hrs from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision.
What you should know about Prithvi-2 missile
Prithvi-2 is a single-stage missile that falls under the liquid fuelling category and is known to have a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg and a range of 250 km (160 mi). It was developed by DRDO and was first used by the Indian Air Force.
Prithvi-2 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 January 27, 1996, and the development stages were completed in 2004. The missile features measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles. India has three Prithvi missiles with Prithvi-1 having a range of 150 km, Prithvi-2 with 250 km range, and Prithvi-3 with a 350 km range.
The Prithvi Missile is an indigenously developed missile by DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) under the flagship of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
Can destroy enemy positions even at night
The special thing is that the Prithvi-2 missile is also capable of carrying nuclear weapons and with this, the enemy can be attacked even at night. This missile has been tested for the surface to surface strike. Prithvi-2 has a range of 250 km. It can be launched from a mobile launcher.
Earlier in 2018, the Prithvi-2 missile was tested on the night of February 21. After this, two consecutive tests of Prithvi-2 were done on November 20, 2019. All these tests were done from this range of Chandipur and were done at night.
Capable of carrying weapons up to 1000 kg
The Prithvi-2 missile can carry a weapon ranging from 500 to 1000 kg and is powered by a two-engine liquid propellant. Officials said that the state-of-the-art missile uses an inertial guidance system to hit its target. This missile is tested under the supervision of the Strategic Force Command of the Army and monitored by DRDO scientists.
According to sources, the trajectory of the missile was tracked by radar, an electro-optical tracking system, and telemetry stations off the Odisha coast of DRDO.
