{"id":11832,"date":"2025-05-12T15:19:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=11832"},"modified":"2025-05-12T15:19:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:49:40","slug":"dhanush-missile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/dhanush-missile\/","title":{"rendered":"Dhanush Missile, Range, Type, Specifications, Operational History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dhanush Missile, also referred to as Prithvi-III, is the naval variant of India\u2019s indigenously developed Prithvi-II Missile. It features several modifications to adapt the original Prithvi platform for ship-based deployment, making it suitable for launch from naval vessels. Dhanush Missile is a short-range ballistic missile capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional warheads. With a length of 8.53 meters and a diameter of 0.9 meters, it can carry a 500 kg payload and is designed to engage both land and sea-based targets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Dhanush Missile Development<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Dhanush Missile is a naval variant of the Prithvi III missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was designed to be launched from warships, providing the Indian Navy with a credible sea-based strike capability. The missile system includes a stabilization platform to counteract the motion of the sea, ensuring accurate targeting from mobile naval platforms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Also Read: Missiles of India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Dhanush Missile Specifications<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Dhanush Missile supports ship-to-ship as well as ship-to-surface strike missions, providing the Indian Navy with operational flexibility. It has a declared strike range of 350 kilometers, significantly impacting India\u2019s maritime strike capabilities. The below table includes the Dhanush Missile Specifications:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dhanush Missile Specifications<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n

Specification<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Details<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Type<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Ship-launched short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Length<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Approximately 8.56 meters<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Diameter<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

1.0 to 1.1 meters<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Launch Weight<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

4,000 to 5,600 kg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Payload Capacity<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

500 to 1,000 kg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Warhead Types<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

High Explosive (HE), submunitions, Fuel-Air Explosive (FAE), or chemical<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Propulsion<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Single-stage liquid propellant<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Guidance System<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Inertial navigation system or GPS<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Range<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

~350 km (standard); up to 750 km with lighter payloads<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Dhanush Missile Operational History<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Dhanush Missile has undergone several successful test firings, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness which are discussed below:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. October 5, 2012:<\/b> Successfully test-fired from a naval ship in the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. November 23, 2013:<\/b> Another successful launch validating its operational readiness.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. April 9, 2015: <\/b>Demonstrated precision strike capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. November 24, 2015: <\/b>Reaffirmed its reliability in various conditions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  5. February 23, 2018: <\/b>Successfully test-fired from a naval ship off the Odisha coast, showcasing its readiness for deployment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Dhanush Missile Significance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

    The Dhanush Missile enhances India's maritime strike capabilities in several ways:<\/span><\/p>\r\n