Shaurya test-fire a copy-book success

India on Saturday test-fired a new-age surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), about 15- km from Balasore. Indigenously developed Shaurya missile was test-launched from an underground silo located in the launching complex-III around 2.30 pm.
Defence sources said the missile was test fired in its final configuration and met all mission objectives. "The test was a copy book success. The missile travelled along the pre-coordinated path as expected and covered a distance of nearly 700 km," said a defence release.
Shaurya can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. It is the land version of the underwater-launched missile K-15 and was first fired in 2008 from the same test range. This missile can remain hidden and camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.
A defence scientist said this developmental flight trial was a part of the on-going technology demonstration work undertaken by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). The sophisticated missile can be easily handled, transported and stored within the canister for longer shelf life.
"All the radar stations, telemetry stations, electro-optical stations along the east coast have tracked and monitored all the mission parameters. Ships located near the target have also tracked and witnessed the final event. The missile has reached the target within few meters accuracy," he informed.
Shaurya, which has a strike range of 750 km, can carry a one-tonne nuclear and conventional warhead and is powered by two-stage solid fuel. Its length is about 10 metre and diameter of 0.5 metre. Its launch weight is about six tonne. The high maneuverability of the missile makes it less vulnerable to available anti-missile defence systems.
Prior to the test firing the district administration had temporarily evacuated 401 families residing within two km radius of the launching complex-III to nearby shelter camps early in the morning. They were compensated as per the prevailing guidelines. Soon after the successful launch DRDO chief controller Avinash Chander congratulated all the scientists and employees of DRDO and other establishments. Director of DRDL P Venugoplalan, Director of ITR SP Dash, Director of SPIC Satish Kumar and Programme Director AK Chakravarti monitored all the preparatory operations. Project director A Joseph and team had prepared the missile and conducted the launch flawlessly.

Times of India