• India successfully test-fired an indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile as part of a user training trial from a test range off the Odisha coast.

• A successful training launch of Short-Range Ballistic Missile Prithvi-II was carried out from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. 

• The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision. 

• The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher.

• Earlier, Prithvi-II also was successfully test fired during night time on February 21, 2018 from ITR at Chandipur. 

• Later on November 20, 2019, two trials consecutively of Prithvi-II were conducted successfully during night time from the same base.

• Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilograms of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. 

• The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.

• The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch was carried out by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Army and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of a training exercise.

• Already inducted into the armoury of Indian defence forces, the nine-meter-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (2014)

With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? 

1) It is a surface-to-surface missile.

2) It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.

3) It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only    (b) 2 and 3 only   (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

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