India today successfully test fired its state-of-the-art nuclear capable surface-to-surface ‘Shourya’ missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Orissa coast, about 15 km from Balasour.
Shourya, which can carry a one-ton nuclear and conventional warhead over 750 kilometers, is powered by two-stage solid fuel. The test fire was the second developmental trail of the missile and the first one was successfully undertaken by the DRDO on November 12, 2008 from the same base.
“The sophisticated missile requires low maintenance and can be easily handled, transported and stored,” said a senior DRDO scientist at the launching site.
The district revenue authorities had temporarily evacuated 400 families residing within 2 km radius of the launching site this morning as a precautionary measure.
