Prithvi- ll tactical ballistic missile test successfully

Prithvi- ll tactical ballistic missile test successfully

Subject : Science and Technology

Context:

• India successfully carried out a test launch of tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
• The missile struck its target with high accuracy.
• The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.

Sort-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) Prithvi- II:

• Developed by:  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
• It is deployed by India’s Strategic Forces Command.

Key features:

1. Indigenously developed Surface-to-Surface Missile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM)

• Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed Surface-to-Surface Missile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) and has a range of around 250 km to 350 km.
• It can carry a one-tonne payload.

2. High degree of precision:

• Prithvi- II has a proven system and is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a high degree of precision.

3. Integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence:

• Prithvi-II has a well-established system and is an integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence.

4. Lighter in weight:

• The tested Agni-5 ballistic missile is lighter in weight than the previous missile.

Variants of Prithvi Missile:

• The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing three variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
• The initial project framework of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program outlines the variants in the following manner:

1. Prithvi I (SS-150) – Army version (150 km (93 mi) range with a payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb))
2. Prithvi II (SS-250) – Air Force version (350 km (220 mi) range with a payload of 500t kg (1,100 lb))
3. Prithvi III (SS-350) – Naval version (350 km (220 mi) range with a payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb))

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP):

• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was conceived by Dr A.P.J. Abdul kalam and was launched in 1982-83 by the Indian Government which saw the projects of

1. Prithvi (Short range surface to surface missile)
2. Trishul (short-range surface-to-air missile)
3. Aakash (Medium range surface to air missile)
4. Nag (Third generation anti-tank missile)
5. Agni-I (Agni missile was later separated from the IGMDP due to its strategic importance)