Serial production of Prithvi begins

Serial production of the Army's version of the formidable surface-to-surface Prithvi missile has begun, according to the latest annual report of the Defence Ministry. Prithvi, having a strike range of 150 km, "is in production phase", the 1997-98 report said.

The second flight trial of the Air Force version of the surface-to-surface missile system Prithvi, having a range of 250 km, has been successfully undertaken, it said. Giving details of the integrated guided missile development programme, the report said development of short-range quick-reaction missile Trishul, medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash and anti-tank missile Nag has been delayed. The delay has been due to additional time taken in realisation of state-of-the-art technologies, change in user's requirements and non-availability of some critical components, necessitating their indigenisation."All out efforts are being made to complete these projects before June 1999, the revised estimated completion date," it said.

Guided flight tests of the Army version of Trishul have been carried out successfully, it said, adding that launcher and surveillance radar for naval Trishul had been realised.