User trial of Prithvi-II conducted succesfully

Balasore: The user trial of surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile was successfully conducted at launchpad no-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore today morning at 9:29 hrs.

The test of the missile which was earlier scheduled to be conducted on February 21, will be carried out today morning by the strategic forces command of the Indian Army.

All the preparations are complete for the test, which is being carried out with logistical support from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Special camera and radar have been installed within the sea to track the speed, direction and accuracy of the missile.

The missile is 8.56 metre long and has a strike range of 350 km. This single-stage, liquid propelled missile weighs 4.6 tonne and capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg including nuclear warheads.

Prithvi, which is the first ballistic missile to be inducted in the armed forces, and has been developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

The first test of the Prithvi-II was conducted in January 1996 at Chandipur. Earlier developed with a strike range of 250 km, the capability of the Prithvi-II missile was augmented to 350 km with subsequent tests.