India's ballistic missile and weapons testing facility in Orissa's Chandipur is being expanded to thrice its present size and modernised to test indigenously-developed weapons for India's defence forces. The test site would be expanded 50 km southward and 50 km into the sea to test home-made tanks, rocket launchers and artillery.

The test site which is now 19.5 km in length along Orissa coast and 3 km in width will not need land acquisition for the expansion as it has been acquired earlier.

The test site known as Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) is Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) oldest weapons testing facility in the country set up in 1894.

The facility would also be modernised. The ammunition storage and handling systems will also be modernised. Upgraded PXE will be better equipped to test indigeneously-developed tanks and weapons to cater to the future demands of the country's defence forces.The trial of Arjun tanks, multi-barrel PINACA rocket launchers, Remotely-delivered Minelet System, Modular Charge System, Enhanced Range Rocket and cargo ammunition are currently being carried out here.

Other ammunition which are also being tested there include, T-72 ammunition, 155 mm illuminating ammunition, 130 mm HE ammunition, fuses, ordnance for 155, 130 and 120 mm guns, propellant charges, armour plates and Super Rapid Gun Mounting. The test range at Chandipur came under DRDO in 1958 and is used by DRDO labs, ordnance factories, Army, Navy and Air Force and PSU's, Das said.

The crescent-shaped coast facilitates firing at different bearings into the sea without fear of harm to human habitation. Uninterrupted firing can continue from all the firing points as the lines do not cross any national or international air or sea route.

The water recedes 3 km into the sea during low tide here facilitating various range operations before and after firing. The weather too helps dynamic testing throughout the year.The seabed and water provide a cushion for fired projectiles and make recovery easy to examine the strength of design. During low tide the seabed becomes hard enough to allow movement of loaded vehicles and even tanks for various range operations.