Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Agni-I and Prithvi-II

Source: TNN

Context: India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles Agni-I and Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha), a day after Akash Prime was tested in Ladakh.

About Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Agni-I and Prithvi-II:

• What Are They?

• Prithvi-II and Agni-I are short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) forming the backbone of India’s nuclear deterrence strategy. Tested under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command to validate technical and operational parameters.

• Prithvi-II and Agni-I are short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) forming the backbone of India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

• Tested under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command to validate technical and operational parameters.

• Location: Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha

• Developed By: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).

• Under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

• Objectives:

• Validate combat readiness, deterrence reliability, and technical accuracy of India’s nuclear delivery systems. Strengthen second-strike capability and credibility of India’s strategic arsenal. Reinforce operational readiness post the May 2025 Indo-Pak conflict.

• Validate combat readiness, deterrence reliability, and technical accuracy of India’s nuclear delivery systems.

• Strengthen second-strike capability and credibility of India’s strategic arsenal.

• Reinforce operational readiness post the May 2025 Indo-Pak conflict.

• Features of Prithvi-II Missile:

• Range: ~350 km Payload Capacity: Up to 500 kg. Warhead Types: Conventional and nuclear. Guidance: Advanced inertial navigation with high accuracy. Platform: Road-mobile launcher for flexible deployment. Speed: Mach 1+

• Range: ~350 km

• Payload Capacity: Up to 500 kg.

• Warhead Types: Conventional and nuclear.

• Guidance: Advanced inertial navigation with high accuracy.

• Platform: Road-mobile launcher for flexible deployment.

• Speed: Mach 1+

• Features of Agni-I Missile:

• Range: 700–900 km. Payload Capacity: Up to 1,000 kg. Warhead Types: Conventional and nuclear. Accuracy: High accuracy with sophisticated guidance systems. Induction: Deployed in the Indian Army since early 2000s. Role: Critical part of India’s minimum credible deterrence.

• Range: 700–900 km.

• Payload Capacity: Up to 1,000 kg.

• Warhead Types: Conventional and nuclear.

• Accuracy: High accuracy with sophisticated guidance systems.

• Induction: Deployed in the Indian Army since early 2000s.

• Role: Critical part of India’s minimum credible deterrence.