Bhubaneswar, July 21 (IANS) India for the first time successfully tested the 1,280 kg Prahaar short range missile, which can hit a target 50-150 km away, a senior official said.


The missile was tested at around 8.20 a.m. from a mobile launcher off the Chandipur coast at the Integrated Test Range in Orissa's Balasore district, about 230 km from here.

"We had a great launch," Defence Research and Development Organisation chief V.K. Saraswat told IANS, adding all the mission objectives were completely matched.

"It was the first launch of the missile, which will be subjected to some more tests," he said.

The single stage surface to surface missile, which is fuelled by solid propellants, has been described as an excellent and quick reaction weapon with high accuracy.

The new missile is aimed at filling the gap between the existing multi-barrel rocket system Pinaka and the nuclear capable Prithvi, which have the capability to hit a target 40 km and 350 km away respectively.

"The missile completed its trajectory in a very short time. It performed considerably well with respect to navigation, control, guidance, propulsion and structure," said Saraswat, who is also scientific advisor to Defence Minister A.K. Antony.

The missile, with a length of 7.3 meters, diameter of 420 mm and weighing 1,280 kg, goes to a height of 35 km before reaching the targets of the range of 150 km in about 250 seconds.

The missile has been described as an excellent and quick reaction weapon with high accuracy. It could be quickly deployed in any terrain by a road mobile launcher.

The missile equipped with state of the art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters.

The missile with a pay load of 200 kg has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battlefield tactical missile, officials said.

The missile, launched from a road mobile system, can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions.

The system is developed to provide the Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battlefield support tactical system, military officials said.

The missile was developed by DRDO scientists in less than two years. The flight path of the missile was tracked and monitored by the various radar systems and electro optical systems located along the coast of Orissa.

An Indian naval ship located near the target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event.

The missile was developed by DRDO scientists with support from the indian industry and quality assurance agency Missile System Quality Assurance Agency.