Indian missile 'Nirbhay' fails to hit target on its maiden launch

BALASORE, ODISHA: India’s first test-firing of its domestically developed medium-range, sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ failed to hit its target, reported Times of India.

Nirbhay was developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory based in Bangalore.

The maiden launch took place from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, in the presence of senior officials and defence scientists.

According to defence sources speaking to Times of India, "The missile blasted off from a mobile launcher positioned in the launch pad - 3 of the ITR at about 11.54am,"

“The surface-to-surface missile has the capability of being launched from land, sea and air, they said, adding Nirbhay has good loitering capability, good control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and very good stealth features.”

For the purpose of this test, the Balasore district administration temporarily shifted people living in the near the Launch pad-3 to a safe area. A total of “2,586 adult members and 698 children” were moved as a safety measure.

India has the technology of super-sonic missile like BrahMos which is jointly developed by India and Russia. BrahMos has the striking range of 290 km.