India successfully test-fires Prahaar missile

Chandipur on Sea (Orissa), Jul 21 (PTI) India on
Thursday successfully carried out the first test-firing of its
latest surface-to-surface quick reaction tactical missile
'Prahaar', which has a range of 150 kms.
Prahaar is capable of carrying different types of
warheads and will be operated by the Army as a battle field
support system.
"The test-firing was conducted successfully at 0820
hours today. Prahaar with a capability to strike targets at
150 kms, comparable to ATACMS missile of the United States,
fills the vital gap between multi barrel rockets and medium
range ballistic missiles," DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta said.
The missile will be helpful in filling gaps between
Pinaka multi-barrel rockets with 40 km range and Prithvi
ballistic missiles with ranges between 250-350 kms.
The uniqueness of the missile with a payload of 200
kgs is that "in one salvo, six missiles can be fired at
multiple targets in all directions covering the entire azimuth
plane."
The missile system developed by the DRDO in less than
two years will provide the Army a cost effective, quick
reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field
support tactical system.
The 7.3m long missile with a 420 mm diameter weighs
1280 kgs and goes to a height of 35 kms before striking its
target at 150 km in four minutes and 10 seconds, they said.
"The missile equipped with state-of-the art high
accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation
systems with latest on board computer achieved terminal
accuracy of less than 10 meters," he said.
Prahaar is capable of being launched from road mobile
system, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be
fired in salvo mode.
During the test, 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 target point in Bay
of Bengal witnessed the final event.
The missile was developed by DRDO Scientists with
support from Indian industry and quality assurance agency
MSQAA.
The launch operations were witnessed by DRDO chief V K
Saraswat and Director General Artillery V K Nayanar. The
operations were overseen by Avinash Chander, Chief Controller
Reserach and Development, Programme Director AD V L N Rao.
Defence Minister A K Antony has congratulated the DRDO
for the successful maiden launch of the new missile.