New, improved Prithvi missile testfired

The extended version of Prithvi, India8217;s most sophisticated medium range surface-to-surface missile, was successfully testfired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa today.

According to the Defence Ministry, the missile is an improved version of the Prithvi-II missile, and has greater accuracy. It has been developed for the IAF. This variant takes just 300 seconds to reach a target located at a distance of 150 km, an official said. The missile has a range of about 150 to 200 km.

The Prithvi test is part of a continuous effort to fine-tune the missile, which has been inducted into the Army, the official said. Part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development programme, the missile has the latest on-board computer and an advanced navigation system, and can use both solid and liquid propellant fuel.