Know more about the Prithvi Missile family of Indian Armed Forces

New Delhi: Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983. Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile.Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon. Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Here is the summary of family of this battlefield missile: 1. Prithvi I (SS-150) : Army VersionThis class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994.It was a surface-to-surface missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1,000 kg, with a range of 150 km. It has an accuracy of 10 – 50 metres and can be launched from Transporter erector launchers. 2. Prithvi II (SS-250) : Air Force VersionIt was first test-fired on January 27, 1996 and the development stages were completed in 2004. It is a single stage liquid-fuelled missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg, but with an extended range of 250 kilometres.The missile has the features to deceive Anti Ballistic Missiles. Prithvi II was successfully test fired again on 25 August 2012 covering its full range of 350 kilometers,and again on 4 October 2012 yielding same results.3 Prithvi III (SS-350), Dhanush : Naval VersionPrithvi III was first tested in 2000 from INS Subhadra, a Sukanya class patrol craft. It is a two-stage ship-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid fuelled with a 16 metric ton force (157 kN) thrust motor. The second stage is liquid fuelled. The missile can carry a 1,000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 km and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 kilometres and a 250 kilogram warhead up to a distance of 750 kilometres. Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization platform (Bow) and the Missile (Arrow). Supposedly it is a customised version of the Prithvi and that the additional customizations in missile configuration is to certify it for sea worthiness. Dhanush has to be launched from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. It is reportedly a naval version of Prithvi which can be launched from ships.Some sources claim that Dhanush is a system consisting of stabilization platform and missiles, which has the capability to launch both Prithvi II and Prithvi III from Ships. while others report that Dhanush is a variant of Prithvi-II ballistic missile.