Prithvi Trials Completed

India yesterday successfully test fired the 250-km long range Air Force variant of the indigenously developed Prithvi missile from the interim test range (ITR) here and joined the select club of countries possessing such sophisticated technology.

All mission objectives were met. With this successful flight, the development phase of this variant is completed, mission director SC Narang said.

The 8.56 metre long sleek missile, fired from a mobile launcher, had a perfect lift-off at 1152 hours. This was the third flight trial of the long range variant of the Prithvi surface-to-surface missile.

Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda complimented the scientists of the integrated guided missile development programme under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the successful launch of the high technology missile.

 

Gowda spoke to top DRDO scientists present at the ITR on telephone and conveyed his appreciation for the 16th launch of the Prithvi missile system which included yesterday's third test firing the 250 km Air Force variant.

The test launch was witnessed by Chief Minister J B Patnaik and minister for tourism Srikant Jena.