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Prithvi Garrison [ probable ]
Research Center Imarat (RCI)
17ｰ14'N 78ｰ29'E
The Indian army has asked for 75 Prithvi-150s (range 150 km), but as of mid-1997 not more than two dozen had
been delivered by Bharat Dynamics. An additional 25 Prithvi-250 missiles were ordered by the Indian Air Force. By
1996 an unspecified number of Prithvi's were believed to be in the possession of the Indian Army's 333 Missile
Group, which was reportedly headquartered in Secunderabad. In April 1997, India moved some Prithvi missiles to
prospective launch site at the Indo-Pakistan border near Jullundur, though these were subsequently withdrawn. The
333 Missile Regiment has trained on an indigenously-built simulator. Each battery consists of four Tatra
transport-erector-launchers, a missile resupply-loading vehicle, a propellant tanker, a survey vehicle, and a firing
command post.
The actual garrisons location for the Prithvi missiles is not disclosed in the open literature. Although it is
reported that the 333rd Missile Group is headquartered in Secunderabad, it is evident that the military cantonment
would be an inappropriate location for the actual missiles, given the urban congestion of the area. It was reported
in June 1997 that India had moved some Prithvi missiles to a prospective launch site near the border in Punjab at
Jullundur. However as of mid-1999 it was believed that these missiles had been withdrawn from this forward
operating location to their permanent garrison in the Hyderabad area.
While the Research Center Imarat complex is primarily associated with research and development of technologies
for missiles, aircraft and other advanced weapons, IKONOS imagery from early 2000 discloses a facility that is
probably the primary Prithvi garrison. The association of this complex with the Prithvi missile system is the most
probable interpretation, and alternative explanations for the function of this complex are not apparent. Although it
is not possible to determine the number of missiles and associated vehicles present at the facility at the time the
imagery was acquired, several vehicles of dimensions consistent with those associated with the Prithvi are in
evidence, suggesting at least that the facility is currently in use.
The probable Prithvi garrison consists of three pairs of garages, along with a probable administrative area. An
entry control area consists of a gate with probable visitor parking. Probable guard houses are located along the
perimeter of the complex. The pairs of garages are of dimensions consistent with housing four vehicles apiece,
which is consistent with each pair of garages housing a battery of four launchers [possibly in one garage] along
with four support vehicles [possibly in the other garage].
In contrast to Pakistan's probable Shaheen missile main operating base at Sargodha, it is noteworthy that the
probable Prithvi garrison complex is not
evidently associated with facilities for an operational military unit. The
Sargodha complex, in addition to garages, also includes an extensive support infrastructure, including
administrative buildings and housing for personnel. There is evidently no housing for the personnel of the 333
Missile Group at this complex. The Research Center Imarat facility does include a complex of buildings
immediately adjacent to the probable Prithvi garrison that is a possible administrative support facility for the
Prithvi missiles. However, this complex is devoid of functional signatures that would support this interpretation,
and is enclosed within a separate security perimeter that is suggestive of institutional associations unrelated to
the Prithvi complex.
IKONOS IMAGERY
Click on the small image to view a larger version
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