Surface-to-Surface missile 'Prithvi-I' test fired

Balasore, Orissa, May 9: India today successfully test fired the indigenously built medium range surface-to-surface Army version of 'Prithvi-I' missile 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-3 inside the ITR at 1005 hours.

Designed for quick manoeuvrability and war time efficiency, the 8.56 m high Prithivi-I missile, having a range of 150 km, soared into the clear blue sky hitting the built-up target.

ITR sources said the Prithvi-I missile, randomly selected from the already prepared missiles, was for the first time used for the test.

The first test firing of Prithvi missile was conducted in February 22, 1988, from the Rocket launching Centre of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Since then several test fires had been conducted in the ITR. Prithvi is one of the five missiles under various stages of development as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme(IGMDP). Prithivi-I has already been inducted into the 333-missile quiver of the Army based in Hyderabad.

The missile has the capability to carry a payload of 1,000 kg but if the same was reduced by half, its striking range could be enhanced.

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

UNI