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India-Pakistan
India test fires ballistic missile from guided missile destroyer
2005-12-28
Turbans Tightening Alert...
India Wednesday successfully test fired its nuclear-capable ballistic missile Dhanush from a warship in the Bay of Bengal, defence ministry sources said. The missile was launched from INS Rajput that was anchored 40 km offshore between Paradeep port and the test range Chandipur in Orissa's Balasore district at about 1.58 p.m., the sources said.
...

Older picture showing launch from smaller offshore patrol vessel
Posted by:john

#8  Interestingly, the Rajput was used to test launch the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile a few months ago.

Posted by: john   2005-12-28 20:07  

#7  The warhead is lighter - <200 kg versus a 1000 kg conventional.

India is deliberately obfuscating its missile ranges by quoting outlandish warhead weights.

For years the Agni - which has purely nuclear role has been said to have a 1 ton warhead.
Now the Agni -3 is said to carry a 1.5 ton warhead.

In reality, the 200kT thermonuclear warhead for the Agni probably weighs < 500 kg, which would make its range far greater than the quoted values.
Posted by: john   2005-12-28 17:41  

#6  Whis is the range with nuclear payload greater?
Posted by: Hank   2005-12-28 17:36  

#5  I wonder if they can shoot when they aren't anchored.

Look at the photo closely. The wake of the OPV can be seen. The ship was moving. Dhahush is a stabilized platform meant to allow firing from a moving warship.

There has reportedly been one underwater test firing of the Naval Prithvi from this pontoon launcher when it was submerged.

The intention is for eventual submarine deployment.


Posted by: john   2005-12-28 17:27  

#4  Depends on particular Prithi variant being used.
Dhanush means "bow". It is the stabilized launcher. The arrow is the naval Prithvi.

Also the ranges are with 500kg - 1000kg conventional warhead. Range with nuclear payload will be greater.

IIRC David Albright mentioned that BARC had developed a 200 kg 15kT nuclear warhead for the Prithvi in the early 90's.


SS-250/Prithvi-II - range 250 km, 500 - 750 kg payload - single stage, dual engine, liquid fuel.

SS-350/Prithvi-III - solid fuelled, two stage version with a 350 km range and a 1000 kg payload
Posted by: john   2005-12-28 17:18  

#3  I wonder if they can shoot when they aren't anchored.
Posted by: Super Hose   2005-12-28 17:08  

#2  What's the range on that pup?

Posted by: FOTSGreg   2005-12-28 17:01  

#1  Ideal tool for urban redevelopment in Karachi...

Posted by: john   2005-12-28 16:38  

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