Nuclear-capable Surface-to-surface Medium range Missile, Shaurya test-fired from Chandipur

India Current Affairs 2011. Nuclear-capable surface-to-surface medium range missile, Shaurya, was test-fired from Chandipur-on-sea off the Orissa coast on 24 September 2011. The missile with a maximum range of 750 km was test-fired from an underground silo at Integrated Test Range of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Shaurya is 10 metre in length and about half-a-metre in width. It uses solid fuel that gives it a longer service-life and shorter launch time compared to the missiles which use liquid fuel. It is is a two stage, solid fueled weapon and can carry conventional as well as nuclear warheads.

Shaurya can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. It is the land version of the underwater-launched missile K-15 and was first fired in 2008 from the same test range. This missile can remain hidden and camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.

The sophisticated missile can be easily handled, transported and stored within the canister for longer shelf life. The high maneuverability of the missile makes it less vulnerable to available anti-missile defence systems.

The development of Shaurya gives India second-strike capability in keeping with the country's states doctrine of no first-use of nuclear weapons.

The last test of Shaurya was conducted in 12 November 2008.