About Pralay Missile

Context:

Recently, the Ministry of Defense has procured indigenous Short-Range Ballistic Surface-to-Surface (SRBM) Missile Pralay, giving Indian military the heft to its war-fighting capabilities.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About  Pralay Missile
2. Features
3. Significance

About Pralay Missile:

• The first conventional quasi-ballistic missile developed by India, Pralay, is a deterrent against any conventional missile strike from the country’s northern or western frontiers.
• A quasi-ballistic missile can manoeuvre in flight while mostly being ballistic and has a low trajectory.
• Initially propelled by a rocket or succession of rockets in stages, ballistic missiles then follow an unpowered trajectory that curves higher before falling to rapidly strike their targeted target.
• The missile was created in such a way that it can destroy interceptor missiles and can alter its course mid-flight after travelling a particular distance.

Range:

• The missile may be launched from a mobile launcher and has a range of 150–500 kilometres.
• Pralay will be the Army’s surface-to-surface missile with the greatest range.
• The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with a claimed range of about 290 kilometres, is another weapon in the Army’s inventory.

Features:

• It is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies.
• The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.
• It can be compared to China’s Dong Feng 12 and the Russian Iskander missile that has been used in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
• It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of about 350 kg to 700 kg, which gives it a deadly punitive capability.
• It can carry a high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead, penetration-cum-blast (PCB) and runaway denial penetration submunition (RDPS).

Significance:

• It is the nation of India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile, and it will enable the armed forces to attack strategic assets and enemy locations in actual war zones.
• The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Pralay will make up the core of India’s proposed Rocket Force.
• India will have two long-range conventional missiles, which will totally alter the tactical warfare dynamics.
• The BrahMos will be a cruise option and this one will be the ballistic option.

-Source: The Hindu