Article Posted on : - Nov 12, 2008

DRDO has successfully flight-tested state-of-art 600 Km canisterised surface-to-surface missile system named 'SHOURYA' from ITR Balasore on November 12 at 1125 hours IST

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will soon have a new missile in its arsenal after defence scientists Wednesday successfully test-fired 'Shourya', a medium range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 600 km.

The missile was launched from an underground facility with an in-built canister at 11.25 am (India time) from Complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range of Chandipur on the eastern coast facing Bay of Bengal.

The ministry of defence claimed that the tactical missile was capable of carrying conventional warheads with a payload of about one tonne. The firing of a new missile led to speculations that it was a variant of K-15, a submarine launched ballistic missile which is still in the developmental stages.

But Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) clarified the two missiles were not linked. The K-15 project is also known as "Sagarika" which was tested in February this year. The missile is meant for India's indigenous nuclear powered submarine Advanced Technology Vessel which is also under development.

'Shourya', meant for use by the Indian Army was launched from a 30 to 40 feet deep pit with an in-built canister. Giving specifications about the missile, DRDO said it had solid propellant with two stages and little over 10 meters in length and about half a metre in width.

The missile was vertically launched and its trajectory was tracked through an integrated system of sophisticated radars, electro-optical tracking instruments, a chain of telemetry stations positions in different points and two naval ships in the Bay of Bengal. The flight duration of the missile was 485 seconds.

"With a longer shelf life, as it is stored in a canister just like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the 'Shourya' is easily transportable and user friendly. This is a technology development project," a DRDO source was quoted as saying by agencies.

The test marks strengthening of India's strategic missile programme. India now has a wide range of ballistic, anti ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. These include ballistic missiles Agni which comes in different versions and anti-ballistic systems Prithvi and Advanced Air Defence. BrahMos, developed in cooperation with Russia, is the main supersonic cruise missile which is one of the best in the world.