24-Mar-2023: MoD signs Rs 3,000 crore contract with BEL for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’
Ministry of Defence, on March 24, 2023, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’ at an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The project is under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category comprising contemporary and niche technologies.
‘Project Himshakti’ will encourage participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs, which are sub vendors of BEL. It will generate employment of approximately three lakh man-days over a period of two years. The project is a significant leap forward in developing indigenous capabilities making the country ‘Aatmanirbhar’, in consonance with the Make-in-India initiative of the Government.
9-Feb-2023: QRSAM to be tested again in April 2023
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to be tested again in April 2023.
QRSAM
- Canister-based system, stored and operated from specially designed compartments.
- Canister with controlled inside environment improves storage and shelf life
Short-range SAM system
- Designed to protect armoured columns from aerial attacks.
- Mobile and maneuverable platform.
- Range of 25-30 km.
Weapon ensemble
- Fully automated command and control system.
- Two radars
- Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar.
- Active Array Battery Multifunction Radar.
- One launcher.
- Compact size - Single stage solid propelled missile.
- Mid-course inertial navigation system.
- Two-way data link and terminal active seeker developed by DRDO.
Capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move. Engages targets with short halts.
Tested by DRDO and set for further testing in April 2023.
10-Jan-2023: Successful training launch of Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II, carried out off Odisha coast
A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out on January 10, 2023 from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. A well-established system, Prithvi-II missile, has been an integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence. The missile struck its target with high accuracy. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.
15-Jun-2022: Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II, successfully tested
A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out on June 15, 2022 at approximately 1930 hrs 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 user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.
7-Feb-2018: India successfully test-fires Prithvi-II missile
India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile, as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range in Odisha.
The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. Trial was a complete success and all mission objectives were met during the test launch.
Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. The state-of-the-art missile uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Army and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise.
The missile trajectory was tracked by radars, electro- optical tracking systems and telemetry stations by the DRDO along the coast of Odisha. The downrange teams onboard the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown.
In salvo mode, on 21 November 2016, two missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base and the last trial was successful on 2 June 2017 from the same base. Inducted into the Armed forces of the country in 2003, the nine-Metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
27-Jun-2017: Prithvi-II Missile Test Fired Successfully
Prithvi-II missile was recently successfully test-fired by the Indian Army.
Prithvi-II is indigenously developed and is nuclear-capable surface-to-surface. The missile is capable of carrying warheads weighing 500 kg to 1,000 kg. With a strike range of 350 km, Prithvi-II is powered by twin-engines which use liquid propulsion. It also uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. Notably, Prithvi is India’s first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five missiles being developed under the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.