Balasore: India today successfully conducted validation test-fires of two of its indigenously developed short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-II and Agni-I, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The launches, carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), validated all critical operational and technical parameters, reaffirming India’s robust strategic capabilities.
The twin tests underscore the nation’s continued commitment to maintaining a credible minimum deterrence. Officials stated that both missile launches met their mission objectives with high precision, demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of these vital components of India’s strategic arsenal.
The Prithvi-II is a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a strike range of approximately 350 kilometers. It is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines and utilizes an advanced inertial guidance system with a maneuvering trajectory to hit its targets with a high degree of accuracy. The Prithvi-II has been a part of India’s Strategic Forces Command since 2003.
The Agni-I, another short-range ballistic missile, has an operational range of 700 to 1,200 kilometers. This single-stage, solid-fueled missile is road and rail-mobile, offering flexibility in deployment. The Agni-I, like Prithvi-II, is nuclear-capable and serves as a crucial element in India’s deterrent posture. It was first deployed by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command in 2007.
The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is a critical tri-service command within India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). Established in 2003, the SFC is responsible for the management, administration, and operational control of India’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile, ensuring the implementation of directives from the NCA. These routine user training launches by the SFC are crucial for validating the readiness and operational efficacy of India’s missile systems.
The successful tests from the ITR in Chandipur are a testament to the advanced capabilities of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in developing sophisticated missile technology and the operational preparedness of the Strategic Forces Command.