Prithvi-II missile fails to take off

BHUBANESWAR - The nuclear capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile failed to take off during a user trial from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on sea, off the Orissa coast today.

The test-fire was held as a part of user’s trial by the armed forces.

According to defence sources, the failure to lift Prithvi-II was due to a snag either in the main missile or the sub-system, including the launcher.

The last four user’s trials of the surface-to-surface missile were successfully conducted during the about one year period, from the same site in the ITR.

The last trial was conducted on June 18.

The Prithvi -II has a strike range of 350 km and a two stage engine. It is nine metres long and a metre wide and can carry a payload of 500 kilograms.

It has already been inducted into Indian armed forces

It is equipped with an advanced inertial navigation system and has features to deceive anti-ballistic missiles. (ANI)