Prithvi-II Missile:
India successfully conducted the night trial of surface-to-surface nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II.
- Earlier, Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-IV was tested which can travel as far as 4,000 km.
- Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed Surface-to-Surface Missile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which has a range of around 250 km-350km and can carry a one tonne payload.
- Prithvi II class is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile that has warhead mounting capability of 500 kg-1000kg.
- The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision.
- The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
- It was initially developed for the Indian Air Force as its primary user and was later inducted into the Indian Army as well.
- While the missile was inducted into India’s Strategic Forces Command for the first time in 2003, it was the first missile developed under the IGMDP.
- Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India under its Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
The Prithvi missile system:
- Itcomprises various tactical Surface-to-Surface Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM).
- Its development began in 1983, and it was India’s first indigenous ballistic missile.
- It was first test-fired in 1988, from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre.
- It has a range of from 150 to 300 km.
- The naval variant of Prithvi I and Prithvi III class missiles have the code-name Dhanush.
- The propulsion technology was likely based on the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile.
Soviet SA-2 Surface-to-Air Missile:
- Developed in the mid-1950s, the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile was the first effective Soviet Union surface-to-air missile.
- Developed as a missile for the battlefield, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon.
- The Prithvi I missiles have been in service with the Indian Army since 1994.
- Reportedly, Prahar missiles are replacing with Prithvi I missiles.
- Prithvi II missiles have been in service since 1996.
- Prithvi III having a more extended range of 350 km, was successfully test-fired in 2004.
