India’s night trial of Nuclear Capable PRITHVI II missile successful

India recently conducted the night trial of indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi II missile. The test was successful. The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range, Balasore, Odisha.

Highlights

Prithvi II is a surface-to-surface missile. The first trial of Prithvi II was conducted in September 2020. The launch was conducted by the Strategic Force Command. The complete trial of the missile was monitored by Defence Research Development Organization.

About Prithvi Missile

The missile has a range of 25-350 kilometres. It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of Nuclear material. It is powered by Liquid Propulsion Single Engine and is a single stage missile. It uses advanced inertial guidance system. It was first inducted into the Indian Defence System in 2003.

Latest Missile Tests

The DRDO has been testing missile quite frequently these days. Since September, the organization has been testing missiles every four days on average. This is being done in order to fast track the Make in India programme in the defence sector. India has set an ambitious target of producing Rs 1.75 trillion (25 billion USD) worth defence products by 2025 Of this the export target has been set to Rs 35,000 crores.

Background

India is the second largest importer of defence equipment according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). SIPRI report also says that Russia is the largest supplier of defence goods to India though defence imports from Russia has decreased from 72% to 56%.

It is estimated that at the current rate, India’s defence imports might increase to 130 billion USD in the next five years. In order to reduce this, the local produce of defence goods should be increased. Thus, India unveiled Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy, 2020 to increase local manufacturing of the arms.

Also, the GoI recently increased the Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector from 49% to 74%.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020