Balasore: Indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range tactical ballistic missile ‘Prahar’ was successfully flight tested from a defence facility off Odisha coast on Thursday, paving the way for its induction.
The sophisticated missile, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was mounted on a mobile launcher and test launched from Launch Complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, at around 1.35 pm.
Prahaar is a quick reaction, all-weather, all-terrain, highly accurate battlefield support tactical weapon system. It is a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets.
“The missile blasted off from a canister travelled the desired range before zeroing on the target. All systems functioned normally. The mission achieved a copybook success,” said a defence official.
Range stations and electro optical systems tracked the missile throughout its flight.
Equipped with state of the art navigation, guidance and electromechanical actuation systems with the latest onboard computer, the missile achieved the terminal accuracy of fewer than 10 meters. It went up vertically and then manoeuvred as coordinated.
“Once inducted, Prahaar, having a strike range of 150 km, will fill the vital gap between multi-barrel rocket Pinaka and medium-range ballistic missile Prithvi. Unlike Prithvi, it can engage multiple targets in different directions,” said the official.
Prior to the test, 4228 people including 3593 adults and 635 children from 634 families of five hamlets within two km radius of the test range were shifted to two temporary shelters and mariners were alerted.
They returned to their houses soon after the test was over following clearance from ITR authorities, the official added.
Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated DRDO, Army, Industries and other team members for the successful mission. “Indigenously developed Prahar will further strengthen our defence capabilities,” she said.
Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G. Satheesh Reddy witnessed the launch and complimented the team members.
