Prithvi-II and Agni-I

Prithvi-II and Agni-I

Why it Matters? 

  • India has successfully test-fired nuclear-capable ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I, along with the indigenously upgraded Akash Prime missile, highlighting its strategic and indigenous defence capabilities. 

What You Should Know? 

  • Prithvi-II and Agni-I short-range ballistic missiles. 

  • Prithvi-II is a liquid-fuelled, surface-to-surface missile with a range of 350 km, known for its high accuracy. 

  • It can carry a payload of up to 500 kgs. 

  • Agni-I is a solid-fuelled, surface-to-surface missile with a strike range of 700–900 km. 

  • It can carry a payload of 1,000 kgs. 

  • Both missiles are nuclear-capable. 

Akash Prime: 

  • It is an enhanced variant of the Akash missile system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

  • It can neutralise aerial threats like fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones within a range of 30–35 km and an altitude of 18–20 km. 

  • The system includes the Rajendra radar, command-and-control unit, and missile launcher, enabling multi-layered air defence. 

  • A key feature is its indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, allowing high-precision guidance, a technology limited to a few nations.