By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 27, 2015 : India on Thursday successfully test-fired nuclear capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur, off Odisha coast. 

Prithvi (Earth) is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is deployed by India’s Strategic Forces Command.

Prithivi -II is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads.

According sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was tested successfully at 12:10 pm from Launch Complex-3 of the ITR.

Designed to carry both solid and liquid fuels, the missile has a strike range of 250 to 350 km and is capable of carrying a 500 kg to 1000 kg load.

Prithivi -II is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin-engines.

The missile uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory for striking its target. It has the ability to dodge enemy missiles.

The missile was included in Indian Army on January 27, 1996.

The twin-engine Prithvi-II is 8.56 metre in length, 1.1 metre in width and weighs 4,600 kg, sources said.