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India on Jan. 23 test-fired an advanced version of its short-range, nuclear-capable Prithvi missile at the missile testing range at Chandipur-on-Sea on the eastern coast.
A senior scientist from the state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is developing the missiles, said the purpose of the Jan. 23 trial was to study the impact of the warhead in view of overall damage to its target and the target’s surroundings.
The warhead tested on the missile Jan. 23 was an advanced version of a foreign-made conventional warhead, the scientist added. He said the test proved that, if needed, a nuclear warhead could be mounted on a Prithvi missile.
A Defence Ministry official afterward told DefenseNews.com that the Prithvi tested has a range of 150 kilometers, like the standard version of the missile, but has better guidance systems and can also inflict damage up to a range of 40 kilometers.
The Indian Army has around 80 Prithvi missiles mounted on mobile launchers. The standard version has been in service since 2000.
“The 8.5-meter-high and 1-meter-thick missile, mounted on a mobile launcher, was fired from the integrated test range at Chandipur in Balasore district, 229 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, at about 2:39 p.m.†local time, the Defence Ministry official said.
Nuclear-capable India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars, two over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, routinely carry out missile tests.
A foreign ministry official in New Delhi said Islamabad had been informed ahead of time about the test of the Prithvi, which uses both solid and liquid propellents.
The test came three weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to resume peace talks after nearly going to war again over Kashmir in 2002.
India says it requires missiles as part of building up a minimum credible nuclear deterrent.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this story from Bhubaneshwar, India.
