India successfully test fires twin missiles

India on Monday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile twice in quick succession from a test range at Chandipur in Odisha.

The medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles was test fired in a salvo mode as part of a user trial by the army. The trial launch was held at about 9.35 a.m. from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range, sources said.

The missiles have a strike range of 350 km and are capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.

The entire launch activities were carried out by the Strategic Forces Command and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, said defence sources.

The nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II has been inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003 and was the first missile to be developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

--IANS

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