Prithvi is a tactical
surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of
India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. 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 Surface-to-air
Missile under Project Devil.
Variants make use of either
liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battle field missile, it
could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon. The
Prithvi missile project encompassed developing 3 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.
Prithvi I (SS-150) - Army Version
(150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg)
Prithvi II (SS-250) - Air Force Version
(250 km range with a payload of 500 kg)
Prithvi III (SS-350) - Naval
Version (350 km range with a payload of 1000 kg)
Dhanush- Dhanush is reportedly a
naval version of Prithvi which can be launched from ships. Some sources claim
that Dhanush is a system consisting of stabilization platform and missiles,
which has the capability to launch both Prithvi II and Prithvi III from Ships
while others report that Dhanush is a variant of Prithvi-II ballistic missile.
Over the years these
specifications underwent a number of changes. While the codename Prithvi stands
for any missile inducted by India into its armed forces in this category, the
later developmental versions are codenamed as Prithvi II and Prithvi III.
Prithvi : Prithvi I class was a surface-to-surface missile having a
maximum warhead mounting capability of 1,000 kg, with a range of 150 km. It has
an accuracy of 10 – 50 meters and can be launched from Transporter erector
launchers. This class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in
1994.
Prithvi II: Prithvi II class is also a single stage liquid-fuelled
missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg, but with an
extended range of 250 kilometers. It was developed with the Indian Air Force
being the primary user. It was first test-fired on January 27, 1996 and the
development stages were completed in 2004. This variant has been inducted in to
the Army as well. In a recent test, the Missile was launched with an extended
range of 350 kilometers and improved Aided Inertial Navigation. The missile has
the features to deceive Anti-Ballistic Missiles. After a failed test on 24
September 2010 two more missiles were launched on December 22, 2010 which
proved to be complete success. Two missiles aimed at two different targets, met
all the mission objectives. It was a copy book success." According to news
sources the range is now increased to 350 km and the payload capacity now ranges
between 500 to 1000 kg. A test firing on 9 June 2011 at the Interim Test Range
in Chandipur was successful with the missile reaching an accuracy of better
than 10 meters. Prithvi II was successfully test fired again on 25 August, 2012
covering its full range of 350 kilometers, and again on 4 October 2012 yielding
same results.
Prithvi III: Prithvi III class (codenamed Dhanush meaning Bow) is a
two-stage ship-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid fuelled 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 and a 500 kg
warhead to a distance of 600 kilometers and a 250 kilogram warhead up to a
distance of 750 kilometers. Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization
platform (Bow) and the Missile (Arrow). Supposedly it is a customised version
of the Prithvi and that the additional customizations in missile configuration
are to certify it 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 a weapons either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy
port. The missile has been tested from the surface ships many times.
Prithvi III was first tested in
2000 from INS Subhadra, a Sukanya class patrol craft. The missile was launched
from an updated, reinforced helicopter deck of the vessel. The first flight
test of the 250 km variant was only partially successful. The full operational
testing was completed in 2004.[13] The following year in December an enhanced
350 km version of the missile was tested from the INS Rajput and successfully
hit a land based target. The missile was again successfully tested-fired from
INS Subhadra anchored about 35 km offshore from the Integrated Test Range at
Chandipur on December 13, 2009. It was the sixth test of the missile. Up to now
this missile has not been deployed largely for logistical deficiencies. It
requires explosive liquid fuel which is hard to store. Its accuracy is also
supposed to be less than that of Brahmos. Plus it cannot be launched vertically
which forces all missiles to be stored on the surface of the ship. Vertically
launched missiles can be stored internally in the hull of a ship. This
deficiency also means that it will not be used in submarines or underwater
systems.
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