India-Pakistan Article Index : Current 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Why Geography
 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics
April 26, 2000
   
The Indian Navy has successfully test-fired its Dhanush (Bow) missile from a ship in the Bay of Bengal to a target on land. The Dhanush, which has a range of 150-300 miles, is a version of the Prithvi that is used by the Indian Army and Air Force. (The Army Prithvi has a range of 100+ miles; the Air Force version something under 200 miles.) This gives India a new capability to strike land targets with nuclear or conventional missiles. Prithvi/Dhanush has inertial navigation and can reportedly land within 50 meters of its target. Each missile costs under $1 million. The missiles are 10m long and carry a 300kg warhead. Pakistan and China are reportedly concerned over the development. China is particularly concerned by any Indian naval move in the Bay of Bengal, which threatens China's port facilities and intelligence listening stations on the coast of Myanmar (Burma).--Stephen V Cole