Pralay Missile

GS 3 – DEFENCE

Context : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will feature Pralay, India’s first short-range quasi-ballistic missile for conventional strikes, in the 2025 Republic Day parade.

Overview of Pralay Missile

• Inception: Conceptualized in 2015.
• Type: An indigenous, short-range quasi-ballistic missile developed by DRDO, comparable to Russia’s Iskander M and China’s Dong Feng 12.
• Payload Capacity: Can carry warheads weighing between 500–1,000 kg, providing operational flexibility.
• Key Features: Powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor and designed for conventional warheads.
• Range: Covers up to 400 km, making it suitable for deployment along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Guidance System: Integrated with advanced navigation and avionics for precision targeting.

Nature & Role

• Pralay is strictly a conventional missile, meaning it does not carry nuclear warheads and is intended for tactical operations.
• While it is not India’s longest-range surface-to-surface missile overall, it holds the distinction of being the longest-range conventional missile for military use.

Understanding Quasi-Ballistic Missiles

• Hybrid Nature: A combination of ballistic and cruise missile characteristics.
• Trajectory: Performs mid-flight maneuvers and operates at lower altitudes.
• Stealth: Harder for missile defense systems to intercept due to unpredictable flight paths.
• Speed: Achieves hypersonic velocities (Mach 5 or above).

Strategic Significance

• Counterforce Capability: Designed to strike critical enemy assets such as missile launch sites, airbases, and logistical centers.
• Deterrence: Enhances India’s defense preparedness and reinforces stability in contested regions.
• Indigenization: Showcases India’s progress in self-reliant missile technology, underscoring DRDO’s advancements in defense innovation.