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Prithvi (missile)

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Prithvi (Sanskrit: pṛthvī "Earth") is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is deployed by India's Strategic Forces Command.

Prithvi
Prithvi II missile during a launch
TypeShort-range ballistic missile
Place of origin India
Service history
In service1994 (Prithvi I)
Used byStrategic Forces Command
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Produced25 February 1988 (Prithvi I)
27 January 1996 (Prithvi II)
23 January 2004 (Prithvi III)
No. built30 (2017 est.)[1]
Specifications
Mass4,400 kg (Prithvi I)
4,600 kg (Prithvi II)
5,600 kg (Prithvi III)
Length9 m (Prithvi I)
8.56 m (Prithvi II, Prithvi III)
Diameter110 cm (Prithvi I, Prithvi II)
100 cm (Prithvi III)
WarheadHigh explosives, penetration, cluster munition, fragmentation, thermobaric, chemical weapon and tactical nuclear weapon
Warhead weight500 kg (1,100 lb) - 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)[2]
EngineSingle-stage liquid rocket (Prithvi I, Prithvi II),
Two-stage solid rocket (Prithvi III)
PropellantLiquid fuel (Prithvi I, Prithvi II),
Solid fuel (Prithvi III)
Operational
range
150 km (Prithvi I)
250–350 km (Prithvi II)
350–750 km (Prithvi III)
Guidance
system
Strap-down inertial navigation system
Accuracy50 m CEP (Prithvi I, Prithvi II)
<10 m CEP (Prithvi II upgrade)[3]
25 m CEP (Prithvi III)[4]
Launch
platform
8 x 8 Tata transporter erector launcher

Development and history

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The Government of India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983 to achieve self-sufficiency in the development and production of wide range of ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles etc. Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under the program. DRDO attempted to build a surface-to-air missile under Project Devil.[5] Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon.[citation needed]

The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.[6]

Variants

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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.[7]

  • Prithvi I (SS-150) – Army version (150 km (93 mi) range with a payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb))
  • Prithvi II (SS-250) – Air Force version (350 km (220 mi)[8] range with a payload of 500 kg (1,100 lb))
  • Prithvi III (SS-350) – Naval version (350 km (220 mi) range with a payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb))

Description

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Agni and Prithvi missile models in DRDO, Balasore

Prithvi I

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Prithvi I is a single-stage liquid-fuelled surface-to-surface ballistic missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1,000 kg, with a range of 150 km (93 mi). It has an accuracy of 10–50 m (33–164 ft) and can be launched from transporter erector launchers. This class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994. As per DRDO's former chief Avinash Chander, the tactical 150 km-range Prithvi missile will be replaced with the Prahaar missile, which is more capable and has more accuracy. According to Chander, the Prithvi I missiles withdrawn from service would be upgraded to be used for longer ranges.[9]

As per reports, in the 1990s, 75 missiles were initially ordered and the order was subsequently increased. The missiles are generally paired with conventional warheads but can be equipped with nuclear warheads as well. The units under the Regiment of Artillery, that are equipped with these missiles includes[10][11]

  1. 222 Missile Group
  2. 333 Missile Group (Secunderabad under XI Corps)[12]
  3. 444 Missile Group
  4. 555 Missile Group

Prithvi II

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Prithvi II is a single-stage liquid-fuelled missile. Initially, it was developed for an extended range of 250 km (160 mi) and maximum warhead capacity of 500 kg. This was gradually enhanced to a range of 350 km (220 mi) and 500–1000 kg payload. It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user.

It was first test-fired on 27 January 1996 and the developmental trials were completed in 2004. In a test, the missile was launched with an extended range of 350 km (220 mi) and had improved navigation due to an improvement in inertial navigation system. The missile features measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles.[citation needed]

The missile was inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003.[13] After a failed test on 24 September 2010,[14] two more missiles aimed at two different targets were launched on 22 December 2010 and were successful.[15] According to reports, the range has been increased to 350 km (220 mi) and the payload capacity now ranges between 500 – 1000 kg.[16][17][18][19] On 2 June, India successfully test-fired another Prithvi-II missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha at 9:50 am.[citation needed]

On 20 November 2019, Strategic Forces Command carried out 2 night user trials of Prithvi-II missiles as part of its annual training cycle to test the combat readiness of its missile forces. Two Prithvi-II tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles were test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha, according to government sources cited in local media reports. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile with a strike range of 350 km was carried out from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex III of the ITR between 7:00 pm and 7:15 pm.[20]

On 4 December 2019, another night trial was conducted off Odisha coast at 07:48 pm from Launch Complex III of Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.[21] The Strategic Forces Command conducted night trial of Prithvi II in full operational configuration from Launch Complex III of Integrated Test Range on 23 September 2020.[22]

Test log of Prithvi II
Test type Date Operator Status Notes
Developmental Trial 27 January 1996 DRDO Success
User Trial/Training 12 October 2009 (I) Strategic Forces Command [23]
12 October 2009 (II)
24 September 2010 Failure [14]
22 December 2010 (I) Success [15]
22 December 2010 (II)
9 June 2011 [24]
25 August 2012 [25]
4 October 2012 [26]
7 October 2013 [27]
7 January 2014 [28]
28 March 2014 [29][28]
26 November 2015 [30]
16 February 2016 [31][32]
18 May 2016 [33][34][35]
21 November 2016 (I) [36][37]
21 November 2016 (II)
2 June 2017 [19]
7 February 2018 [38]
21 February 2018 [citation needed]
Night trail/Training 21 November 2019 (I) [20]
21 November 2019 (II)
4 December 2019 [39]
23 September 2020 [22]
16 October 2020 [40]
16 November 2021 [13]
15 June 2022 [8]
10 January 2023 [7]
22 August 2024 (7;46 pm) [41]

Prithvi III

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Prithvi III is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid fueled with a 16 metric ton force (157 kN) thrust motor. The second stage is liquid-fuelled. The missile can carry a 1,000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 km (220 mi) and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 km (370 mi) and a 250 kg warhead up to a distance of 750 km (470 mi).

Prithvi III was first tested in 2000 from INS Subhadra, a Sukanya-class patrol vessel. 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.[42] The full operational testing was completed in 2004.[43]

Dhanush (missile)

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Dhanush
 
Dhanush missile during a launch
TypeShort-range ballistic missile / anti-ship ballistic missile
Place of origin  India
Service history
Used by  Indian Navy
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass4,500 kg
Length8.53m
Diameter0.9m
WarheadConventional (blast, fragmentation, thermobaric) and tactical nuclear weapon
Operational
range
  • 350 km with 1000 kg warhead.
  • 600 km with 500 kg warhead.
  • 750 km with 250 kg warhead.[44]

Dhanush (Sanskrit: धनुष, "Bow") is a variant of the surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile 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[44] and can strike targets in the maximum range of 750 km (470 mi). Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization platform and the missile. It is a customized version of the Prithvi and is certified for sea worthiness. 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 Dhanush missile can be used as an anti-ship weapon as well as for destroying land targets depending on the range.[45] The missile has been tested from surface ships of the navy many times.

Trial history

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A new variant of the Prithvi-III missile, named Dhanush, was test fired from the Rajput in March 2007 and successfully hit a land-based target.[46]

The missile was successfully tested-fired from INS Subhadra, which was anchored about 35 km (22 mi) offshore from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on 13 December 2009. It was the sixth test of the missile.[47]

The missile was test-fired successfully on 5 October 2012,[48] on 23 November 2013,[49] 9 April 2015,[50] and 24 November 2015[51] from INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast.

Dhanush was again tested on 26 November 2015 from INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal.[52]

A successful user trial was conducted from a naval ship on 23 February 2018 by the Strategic Forces Command off the Odisha coast.[53]

See also

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Other Indian missile projects

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Comparable missiles

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References

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  1. ^ The Military Balance 2017. Taylor & Francis. 14 February 2017. ISBN 9781857439007.
  2. ^ "DRDO Technology Focus : Warhead for Missiles, Torpedoes and Rockets" (PDF). Defence Research and Development Organisation. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  3. ^ Rout, Hemant Kumar (16 October 2020). "Night trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile successful, second trial in a month's time". The New Indian Express. ENS. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  4. ^ CSIS. "Prithvi-I/II/III". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  5. ^ Arun Vishwakarma. "PRITHVI SRBM". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  6. ^ "Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service". ANI. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Centre for Non Proliferation Studies Archive, accessed 18 October 2006". Archived from the original on 2 December 2001.
  8. ^ a b "India successfully test fires indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile". 18 May 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  9. ^ Eshel, Tamir (1 July 2013). "After 17 years in service, the Prithvi I missile will give way to smaller and better Prahar - Defense Update:". Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  10. ^ "India's Nuclear Force Structure 2025". carnegieendowment.orgundefined. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  11. ^ "333rd Artillery Group - India Special Weapons Agencies". nuke.fas.org. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Prithvi-I". Missile Threat. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Prithvi-II training launch successful". The Hindu. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  14. ^ a b "PIB Press Release". Pib.nic.in. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  15. ^ a b "India test-fires two Prithvi-II ballistic missiles". The Times of India. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Improved Prithvi-II successfully test fired". The Indian Express. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  17. ^ TOI (9 June 2011). "Nuclear-capable Prithvi-II test-fired". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Two nuclear capable Prithvi-2 missiles successfully test fired - India". The Times of India. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  19. ^ a b "Indian army successfully test fires nuclear capable ballistic missile Prithvi-II off Odisha coast". 2 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  20. ^ a b Gady, Franz-Stefan (21 November 2019). "India Test Fires Two Prithvi-II Short-Range Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missiles". The Diplomat. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  21. ^ Velira1. "India on Tuesday conducted a night trial of its indigenously developed, nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile off Odisha coast". India Today. Retrieved 4 December 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  23. ^ "India test-fires two Prithvi- II missiles". The Hindu. 12 October 2009. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
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  27. ^ "Nuclear Capable Prithvi 2 Missile soars again successfully". The Biharprabha News. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  28. ^ a b "India test-fires nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile". The Indian Express. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  29. ^ PTI (28 March 2014). "India test fires nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur". livemint.com/. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  30. ^ "India successfully test fires Prithvi". 26 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired". The Economic Times. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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  33. ^ "Indian army successfully test fires Prithvi-II ballistic missile". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  34. ^ "India successfully test fires indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile". The Indian Express. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  35. ^ "India successfully test fires Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur". The Times of India. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  36. ^ "India successfully conducts twin trial of Prithvi-II missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  37. ^ "Prithvi II's twin trial successfully test fired: 10 key points about India's indigenous missile". Business Standard India. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
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  39. ^ "India conducts another night trial of Prithvi-II missile". 4 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  40. ^ "Another night trial of Prithvi-II ballistic missile conducted off Odisha coast - OrissaPOST". Orissa POST. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Prithvi-2 Missile Proves Its Accuracy Once Again in Night Test | Udaipur Kiran". udaipurkiran.com. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
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  43. ^ "Prithvi". Bharat Rakshak Missiles. Bharat Rakshak. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  44. ^ a b "Indian Navy successfully test fires Dhanush missile: All you need to know". India Today. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  45. ^ "India tests Prithvi missile's naval version Dhanush". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  46. ^ "Dhanush, naval surface-to-surface missile, test fired successfully". domain-b.com. 31 March 2007. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  47. ^ "Dhanush missile successfully test-fired". The Times of India. 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012.
  48. ^ "India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Dhanush missile". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  49. ^ "India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Dhanush missile". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  50. ^ "Dhanush missile successfully test-fired from ship". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  51. ^ India test fires ship-based nuclear-capable missile, SpaceDaily.com, 25 November 2015
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  53. ^ "'Dhanush' ballistic missile successfully test-fired". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
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