Prithvi (missile)

Prithvi (Template:Lit) is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is deployed by India's Strategic Forces Command.

Development and history

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 a surface-to-air missile under Project Devil.<ref name=br>Template:Cite web</ref> Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon.Template:Citation needed

The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Variants

The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing three 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.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>

• Prithvi I (SS-150) – Army version (Template:Convert range with a payload of Template:Convert)
• Prithvi II (SS-250) – Air Force version (Template:Convert<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> range with a payload of Template:Convert)
• Prithvi III (SS-350) – Naval version (Template:Convert range with a payload of Template:Convert)

Description

File:Agni and Prithvi.jpg

Agni and Prithvi missile models in DRDO, Balasore

Prithvi I

Prithvi I is a single-stage liquid-fuelled surface-to-surface ballistic missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1,000 kg, with a range of Template:Convert. It has an accuracy of Template:Convert and can be launched from transporter erector launchers. This class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994. As per DRDO's former chief Avinash Chander, the tactical 150 km-range Prithvi missile will be replaced with the Prahaar missile, which is more capable and has more accuracy. According to Chander, the Prithvi I missiles withdrawn from service would be upgraded to be used for longer ranges.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As per reports, in the 1990s, 75 missiles were initially ordered and the order was subsequently increased. The missiles are generally paired with conventional warheads but can be equipped with nuclear warheads as well. The units under the Regiment of Artillery, that are equipped with these missiles includes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1. 222 Missile Group
2. 333 Missile Group (Secunderabad under XI Corps)<ref name="MT">Template:Cite web</ref>
3. 444 Missile Group
4. 555 Missile Group

Prithvi II

Prithvi II is a single-stage liquid-fuelled missile. Initially, it was developed for an extended range of Template:Convert and maximum warhead capacity of 500 kg. This was gradually enhanced to a range of Template:Convert and 500–1000 kg payload. It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user.

It was first test-fired on 27 January 1996 and the developmental trials were completed in 2004. In a test, the missile was launched with an extended range of Template:Convert and had improved navigation due to an improvement in inertial navigation system. The missile features measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles.Template:Citation needed

The missile was inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref> After a failed test on 24 September 2010,<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> two more missiles aimed at two different targets were launched on 22 December 2010 and were successful.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> According to reports, the range has been increased to Template:Convert and the payload capacity now ranges between 500 – 1000 kg.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com">Template:Cite web</ref> On 2 June, India successfully test-fired another Prithvi-II missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha at 9:50 am.Template:Citation needed

On 20 November 2019, Strategic Forces Command carried out 2 night user trials of Prithvi-II missiles as part of its annual training cycle to test the combat readiness of its missile forces. Two Prithvi-II tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles were test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha, according to government sources cited in local media reports. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile with a strike range of 350 km was carried out from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex III of the ITR between 7:00 pm and 7:15 pm.<ref name="India Test Fires Two Prithvi-II Short-Range Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missiles">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 4 December 2019, another night trial was conducted off Odisha coast at 07:48 pm from Launch Complex III of Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.<ref name="India conducts another night trial of Prithvi-II missile">Template:Cite news</ref> The Strategic Forces Command conducted night trial of Prithvi II in full operational configuration from Launch Complex III of Integrated Test Range on 23 September 2020.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

On 17 July 2025, India successfully test-fired the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, as part of a routine user training launch. The test was conducted alongside the Agni-I missile under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

Test log of Prithvi II

Test type	Date	Operator	Status	Notes
Developmental Trial	27 January 1996	DRDO	Success
User Trial/Training	12 October 2009 (I)	Strategic Forces Command		<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>
	12 October 2009 (II)
	24 September 2010		Failure	<ref name=":6" />
	22 December 2010 (I)		Success	<ref name=":0" />
	22 December 2010 (II)
	9 June 2011			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	25 August 2012			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	4 October 2012			<ref name="hindu4">Template:Cite news</ref>
	7 October 2013			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	7 January 2014			<ref name="ie23">Template:Cite news</ref>
	28 March 2014			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ie23" />
	26 November 2015			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	16 February 2016			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	18 May 2016			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	21 November 2016 (I)			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	21 November 2016 (II)
	2 June 2017			<ref name="newindianexpress.com" />
	7 February 2018			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	21 February 2018			Template:Citation needed
Night trail/Training	21 November 2019 (I)			<ref name="India Test Fires Two Prithvi-II Short-Range Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missiles" />
	21 November 2019 (II)
	4 December 2019			<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	23 September 2020			<ref name=":2" />
	16 October 2020			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	16 November 2021			<ref name=":5" />
	15 June 2022			<ref name=":4" />
	10 January 2023			<ref name=":3" />
	22 August 2024 (7:46 pm)			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
17 July 2025	17 July 2025			Integrated Test Range (ITR)<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Prithvi III

Prithvi III is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid fueled 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 Template:Convert and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of Template:Convert and a 250 kg warhead up to a distance of Template:Convert.

Prithvi III was first tested in 2000 from Template:INS, a Template:Sclass. The missile was launched from the updated reinforced helicopter deck of the vessel. The first flight test of the Template:Convert variant was only partially successful.<ref name="nrdc.org">Template:Cite web</ref> The full operational testing was completed in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Dhanush (missile)

Dhanush (Template:Lit) is a variant of the surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile for the Indian Navy. It is capable of carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads with pay-load capacity of 500 kg-1000 kg<ref name=IndiaToday16/> and can strike targets in the maximum range of Template:Convert. Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization platform and the missile. It is a customized version of the Prithvi and is certified 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 as a weapon either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. The Dhanush missile can be used as an anti-ship weapon as well as for destroying land targets depending on the range.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The missile has been tested from surface ships of the navy many times.

Trial history

A new variant of the Prithvi-III missile, named Dhanush, was test fired from the Rajput in March 2007 and successfully hit a land-based target.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The missile was successfully tested-fired from INS Subhadra, which was anchored about Template:Convert offshore from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on 13 December 2009. It was the sixth test of the missile.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The missile was test-fired successfully on 5 October 2012,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> on 23 November 2013,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 9 April 2015,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and 24 November 2015<ref name="2015-11-25_SD">India test fires ship-based nuclear-capable missile, SpaceDaily.com, 25 November 2015</ref> from INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast.

Dhanush was again tested on 26 November 2015 from INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A successful user trial was conducted from a naval ship on 23 February 2018 by the Strategic Forces Command off the Odisha coast.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

Other Indian missile projects

• Project Devil
• SS-45 Missile
• Project Valiant
• Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme
• K Missile family

Comparable missiles

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External links

• CSIS Missile Threat - Prithvi I/II/III
• CSIS Missile Threat - Dhanush

Technical:

• DRDO Technology Focus : Warhead for Missiles, Torpedoes and Rockets