Prithvi Missile System
| Missile | Type | Warhead | Payload (kg) | Range (km) | Dimension (m) | Fuel/Stages | Weight (kg) | In service | CEP (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prithvi-I | Tactical | Nuclear, HE, submunitions, FAE, chemical | 1,000 | 150 | 8.55X1.1 | Single stage liquid | 4,400 | 1988 | 30–50 |
| Prithvi-II | Tactical | Nuclear, HE, submunitions, FAE, chemical | 350–750 | 350 | 8.55X1.1 | Single stage liquid | 4,600 | 1996 | 10–15 |
| Prithvi-III | Tactical | Nuclear, HE, submunitions, FAE, chemical | 500–1,000 | 350–600 | 8.55X1 | Single stage solid | 5,600 | 2004 | 10–15 |
The Prithvi missile (from Sanskrit पृथ्वी pṛthvī "Earth") is a family of tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) and is India's first indigenously developed ballistic missile. Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on 25 February 1988 from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre, Pottisreeramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. It has a range of up to 150 to 300 km. The land variant is called Prithvi while the naval operational variant of Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles are codenamed Dhanush (meaning Bow). Both variants are used for surface targets.
The Prithvi is said to have its propulsion technology derived from the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile. 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.
The initial project framework of the IGMDP envisioned the Prithvi missile as a short-range ballistic missile with variants for the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Over the years the Prithvi missile specifications have undergone a number of changes. The Prithvi I class of missiles were inducted into the Indian Army in 1994, while Prithvi II with an extended range were being inducted in 2006. Prithvi III class has a longer-range of 350 km, and was successfully test fired in 2004.
Read more about this topic: Integrated Guided Missile Program
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