Balasore (WB): India today (Oct 27, 2004) test fired the indigenously developed medium range missile "Prithvi-III" from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 15 km from Balasore.

The missile tested was the Naval version of Prithvi, which has a range of 250 to 300 km, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said.

It was test-fired from a simulated launch pad from launch complex III of the ITR at about 11:29 hrs (IST). DRDO chief M Natarajan and scientists, who designed the missile, witnessed the test launch.

The missile and its sub-system, being developed under the project name K-15, had to undergo a rigorous check up before the actual trial took place, DRDO sources said.

This is for the first time that the missile, which has capability to be launched underwater, was put to trial from an artificially made water base with the help of a specially designed canister, they said.

The surface-to surface single stage ballistic missile could be launched from either a ship or submarine and way capable of destroying land targets.

The missile, about 8.5 metres high and one metre in diameter with latest on-board computer and internal navigation system, could use both solid as well as liquid propellant.

The entire trajectory of the missile, which took off vertically, was tracked through an integrated system of sophisticated radar, electro-optical tracking instruments, a chain of telemetry stations and a naval vessel stationed close to the impact point inside the Bay of Bengal.

Prithvi III has virtually acquired the status of a fast track project for the DRDO as Prithvi I with a striking range of 150 km has already been inducted into the Army and the development of Prithvi II for the Indian Air Force had been completed, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Balasore district administration, on the request of the ITR authorities, temporarily evacuated about 2,200 persons belonging to 275 families residing in four hamlets located within a radius of two km from the launch site.

They were taken to a nearby temporary shelter prior to the test firing of the missile.