Surface to Surface Missile ''Prithivi'' test fired from ITR

Balasore, Orissa, Jun 11 (UNI) India today succesfully test fired indigenously built medium range surface to surface missile 'Prithivi'' from the Integrated Test Range(ITR) on Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from here.

According to the ITR sources, the missile, developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation(DRDO) was test fired from a mobile launcher from the Launch complex inside the Test Range at 1340 hours.

The 200-km range Prithivi-I designed for quick manoeuvrability and war time efficiency soared into the clear blue skies hitting the built up target.

ITR sources said the missile could be used as a tactical battlefield weapon. Prithivi has a range of 250-300 km and could carry a 250 kg warhead which could be increased to 1000 kg.

The first test firing of Prithivi missile was conducted in February 22,1988 from the Rocket launching Centre of Sriharikota in Andhra Prdaesh. Since then several testfires had been conducted in the ITR.

Prithivi is one of the five missiles under various stages of development as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme(IGMDP).

The Missile, sources said, was a modified version of indigenous sattelite launch vehicle(SLV-3) and used liquid propellant with all most all components made in the country.

Several scientists of the DRDO and officials of the ITR were present during the launching of Prithivi Missile from the launch complex.

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