Prithvi Missile
• Prithvi is India's first indigenously developed ballistic missile under IGMDP.
• It is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a single-stage, two engines, and liquid-fuel propulsion.
• The Prithvi's development began in 1983, and it was first fired on February 25, 1988. Since then, the three Prithvi versions have been put to the test twenty times.
• The Prithvi is a simple missile that uses propulsion technology from the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile. "Given the Prithvi's range, its role would be restricted to use against Pakistan." according to the Carnengie Endowment for International Peace.
• Prithvi is a DRDO-developed short-range tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
• The Prithvi missile was the first to be developed as part of the integrated guided missile development programme, which began in 1983.
• The Prithvi missile series uses liquid or a combination of liquid and solid fuels and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
• The Prithvi missile project has three versions for the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy to use.
• Prithvi I, Prithvi II, and Prithvi III are the three variants of the Prithvi missile series that have been developed.
1. Prithvi I (SS-150) – Army version (150 km) range with a payload of 1,000 kg
2. Prithvi II (SS-250) – Air Force version (350 km) range with a payload of 500 kg
3. Prithvi III (SS-350) – Naval version (350 km ) range with a payload of 1,000 kg
PRITHVI – 1
• The Prithvi-I is a small ship, measuring 8.55 metres long and 1.1 metres wide. It weighs between 4,000 and 4,500 kilogrammes.
• At least two test fires by artillery personnel have demonstrated India's ability to launch the Prithvi from mobile launchers.
• In January 1996, it was paraded in mobile launchers during India's Republic Day parade.
• Prithvi-I serial production began at Bharat Dynamic Limited sometime between mid-1994 and 1997, despite US pressure on India to stop the programme.
• A total of 75 Prithvi warheads are believed to have been manufactured.
• Because of its lack of precision and the difficulties associated with its liquid fuel, the Indian army is hesitant to incorporate the Prithvi-I into its practises.
• The Prithvi has a high circular error probable (CEP) of 300 metres at 150 km range and 500 metres at 250 km range, according to reports (0.2 percent of the range).
• The Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is rumoured to be planning to instal Global Positioning System (GPS) units on the Prithvi in order to reduce its CEP to around 75 metres.
• As a delivery system, the Prithvi's liquid fuel has flaws. Because the liquid propellant mixture is extremely volatile and corrosive, it must be loaded just before launch.
PRITHVI - 2
Prithvi-2 is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines and can carry 500-1,000 kilogrammes of warheads.
It has a 350-kilometer strike range.
To hit its target, it employs an advanced inertial guidance system with a manoeuvring trajectory.
PRITHVI - 3
Prithvi III class is a two-stage SURFACE-to-SURFACE missile. The first stage is solid fueled and the second stage is liquid-fueled.
DHANUSH
Dhanush is a variant of the surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile, which has been developed for the Indian Navy.