India Announces Successful Test of Nuclear-Capable Missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I
Chandipur, Odisha – 18 July – (www.deccanlive.com): India has announced that it successfully tested its nuclear-capable, short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-II and Agni-I.
According to the Indian government, these tests were conducted on Thursday night at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located in Chandipur, in the eastern state of Odisha.
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the tests were carried out under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command, and all operational and technical aspects were verified during the launch.
A statement from the ministry said:
“The short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-II and Agni-I, were successfully launched from Chandipur on July 17. All operational and technical parameters were confirmed to be successful.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Army, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and the Ministry of Defence for this achievement. He called it a “remarkable success.”
Just two days earlier, on Wednesday, India had also announced the successful test of the Akash Prime missile in the Ladakh region. According to the Ministry of Defence, this modern air-defense missile system, made for the Indian Army, can operate at altitudes above 4,500 meters.
The ministry explained:
“On July 16, India successfully hit two high-speed aerial targets at high altitude using the Akash Prime missile in Ladakh. This version is an advanced upgrade of the Akash missile system, made specifically for the Indian Army.”
These missile tests came about two months after the recent military tension between India and Pakistan, which lasted from May 7 to May 10.
Key Facts About the Missiles:
Prithvi-II Missile
- Range: Around 350 kilometers
- Payload capacity: Up to 500 kilograms
- Can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads
Agni-I Missile
- Range: 700 to 900 kilometers
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,000 kilograms
- Also capable of carrying both nuclear and traditional warheads
These two missiles are a critical part of India’s nuclear defense system.
