Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: Scientists will carry out the Prithvi Air Defence Exercise tomorrow to find out the operational effectiveness of the missile, tested on Sunday, in providing air shield to the four metros.

The exercise, described as the first of its kind in the country by sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is scheduled to be conducted on November 26, simultaneously from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea in Orissa’s Balasore district and Inner Wheeler Island off the Dhamra coast in Bhadrak.

Preparations have been on in full swing since last month. The successful testing of Prithvi II, the nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile, has given DRDO the impetus to go ahead with the air defence exercise.

Prithvi II met all the parameters and covered about 158 km in 304 seconds.

As part of the exercise, two Prithvi II missiles, one each from the Chandipur and Inner Wheeler Island ranges, would be fired. Then, both missiles would have an alignment on air before dropping into the sea.

The source, who wished anonymity, said the missile from Wheeler Island would intercept the one fired from the ITR. “If they collide with perfect alignment, the exercise will be termed successful,” he said.

ITR director A.K. Checkar, however, refused to confirm or deny the air exercise.