President congratulates DRDO team for successful launch of 'Nirbhay'

On the successful launch of the test-firing of 'Nirbhay', India's indigenously developed sub-sonic cruise missile; President Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated DRDO.

"I extend my heartiest congratulations to all those associated with the successful test-firing of 'Nirbhay', India's indigenously developed sub-sonic cruise missile. This day shall go down as a landmark in our defence programme," Mukherjee said to Dr. Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development.

President hoped that this achievement will inspire our scientists and all Armed Forces and defence personnel to make even greater efforts to boost India's indigenous defence capabilities in technologically challenging areas.

India on Friday successfully test fired the indigenously developed nuclear capable sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' at the Integrated Missile Test Range near Balasore in Odisha.

Proving a host of technologies and bridging the critical gap in the country's arsenal, the missile was test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur for a distance of about 1,000 km.

Cruise missile 'Nirbhay' can strike targets more than 700 kms away. This was the second test firing attempt. The missile had failed in its debut attempt which was made last year.

The missile has good loitering capability, good control and guidance and high degree of accuracy.