Indian Defense has begun to become self-sufficient since The Government of India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983. It was launched to achieve self-sufficiency in the development and production of a wide range of ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles etc. Various missiles were created under this program and today we are gonna read about one of those missiles. This missile was the first missile to be developed under the program and it could carry a nuclear warhead. The name of this powerful missile is Prithvi Missile.
What is the Prithvi Missile ?
Prithvi missile is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is deployed by India’s Strategic Forces Command.
The Prithvi missile project is developing three variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
The variants are as follows :-
- Prithvi I (SS-150)
- Prithvi II (SS-250)
- Prithvi III (SS-350)
Now, let’s begin the description of these variants :-
Prithvi I
Prithvi 1 class is a single-stage liquid-fueled surface-to-surface ballistic missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1,000 kg, with a range of 150 km. It has an accuracy of 10–50 m and can be launched from transporter erector launchers. It was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994.
Prithvi II
Prithvi 2 class is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg, but with an extended range of 250 km. It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user. It was first test-fired on 27 January 1996 and the development stages were completed in 2004.
Prithvi lll
Prithvi 3 class is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid-fueled with a 16 metric ton force thrust motor. The second stage is liquid-fueled. The missile can carry a 1,000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 km and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 km and a 250 kg warhead up to a distance of 750 km.
It was first tested in 2000 and the missile was launched from the updated reinforced helicopter deck of the vessel. The first flight test of the 250 km (160 mi) variant was only partially successful. The full operational testing was completed in 2004
Dhanush Missile
A variant of the surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile is the Dhanush Missile. It is developed for the Indian Navy. It is capable of carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads with pay-load capacity of 500 kg-1000 kg and can strike targets in the range of 350 km. Dhanush has to be launched from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. Its low range acts against it and thus it is seen as a weapon either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. The missile has been tested from surface ships of the navy many times.
The Dhanush missile can be used as an anti-ship weapon as well as for destroying land targets depending on the range.
Reference from :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prithvi_(missile)
