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27 Nov 2017
#DefenseDiaries: Prithvi is India's first 'Made-in-India' and 'Made-by-India' ballistic missile
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The debate continues to rage on the need for greater indigenization of India's military arsenal.
However, there's one area where India can proudly boast of attaining indigenous mastery - ballistic missile technology.
In 1983, India launched its missile programme which gave birth to the Prithvi, the first of a series of three 'Made-in-India' and 'Made-by-India' nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Here's all about the Prithvi missile.
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In this articleDevelopment of the Prithvi-I Prithvi-I can target Islamabad Prithvi-II has longer range, is more accurate Prithvi-III can be launched off Indian Navy ships Even with conventional weapons, Prithvi series missiles can cause havoc Humble Prithvi missile gave birth to India's mighty missile infrastructure
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History
Development of the Prithvi-I
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In 1983, India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) to indigenously research and develop a wide variety of missiles.
The programme, overseen by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), proceeded under the leadership of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
In 1988, India test-fired its first homemade ballistic missile, the Prithvi-I.
Since then, India has developed three versions of the Prithvi.
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Prithvi-I
Prithvi-I can target Islamabad
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The Prithvi-I is a single-stage, liquid-fuelled short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 150-km.
The road-mobile nuclear-capable missile was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1994 and is capable of targeting around a quarter of Pakistan's territory, including capital Islamabad.
In 2013, the DRDO said it was planning to withdraw the Prithvi to replace it with the latest and more accurate Prahaar missile.
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Prithvi-II
Prithvi-II has longer range, is more accurate
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In 1996, India tested the Prithvi-II missile which has a higher 250-km range but lesser 500-650kg payload compared to the Prithvi-I.
The Prithvi-II comes with an improved inertial navigation system, greatly improving its accuracy and allowing it to evade anti-ballistic missiles.
The missile is in service with the Indian Air Force and is capable of targeting all major Pakistani cities and military installations.
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Prithvi-III can be launched off Indian Navy ships
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The Prithvi-III, also called Dhanush, is a ship-based naval variant of the missile that began development in 2000.
It's a two-stage, solid-fuelled missile with a range of 350-km when equipped with a 1,000kg payload.
Its range increases to 600-km when equipped with a 500kg payload.
It can be used against land-based targets and enemy warship fleets.
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Explained
Even with conventional weapons, Prithvi series missiles can cause havoc
![Even with conventional weapons, Prithvi series missiles can cause havoc]( "Even with conventional weapons, Prithvi series missiles can cause havoc")
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The short-range Prithvi series ballistic missiles are primarily Pakistan-specific.
They may not be used for striking strategic targets but their mobility and high accuracy make them a deadly battlefield weapon against enemy military formations and bases.
A single conventionally-armed Prithvi missile can destroy what might take several smaller air-delivered bombs, cruise missiles, and artillery.
The Prithvi-III can particularly be used to decimate enemy ports.
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Lasting legacy
Humble Prithvi missile gave birth to India's mighty missile infrastructure
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When first tested in 1988, the modest 150-km ranged Prithvi wasn't the most sophisticated ballistic missile.
Its success lies in the fact that it spurred the creation of India's self-honed research and development infrastructure and industry that gave birth to India's sophisticated and longer-range Agni, K-series, BrahMos and Nirbhay ballistic and cruise missiles.
Eventually, these formed the backbone of India's nuclear and conventional arsenal.
