India’s military capabilities have advanced significantly with the Pralay Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which is intended to improve operational effectiveness and deterrent on the battlefield. It is categorized as a tactical quasi-ballistic missile that was created by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It can carry a variety of warheads and carry out accurate strikes against valuable targets. The missile combines technology from the Prahaar tactical missile with the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program’s Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), an exo-atmospheric interceptor missile.
The Pralay missile is adaptable for battlefield deployment because it can be launched from mobile platforms and has a range of 150 to 500 kilometers.
Because of its capacity to transport payloads ranging from 350 kg to 700 kg, various warhead types can be used to meet the demands of particular missions.
For Sagarika from the K Missile family, Pralay uses the same composite propellant that was created by the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). Compared to the propellant used in the Agni missile series, the composite propellant is more energy-efficient and produces more. The 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility at the National Aerospace Laboratories served as the site for the aerodynamic characterization study.
The Pralay missile may carry a variety of warheads with a mass of 350–700 kg, such as Runway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS) with a range of 150–500 km and high explosive fragmentation and penetration-cum-blast kinds. Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, its architecture makes it less predictable because it can follow a quasi-ballistic trajectory. Pralay is made to use a conventional warhead to target command and control centers, radar and communication systems, and advance airfields. The system is road movable and satisfies the Indian Army’s tactical ballistic missile requirements. Without being constrained by the ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy, Pralay fills the void left by a conventionally armed ballistic missile.
The Pralay missile can perform evasive maneuvers during its terminal phase because to its thrust vector control system, which uses jet vanes. This improves the missile’s capacity to avoid being intercepted by hostile air defenses. Its capacity to use decoys to divert and perplex these defenses further boosts its efficacy and survivability in defensive scenarios. Targeting important enemy installations with great accuracy is made possible by the missile’s sophisticated navigation system and integrated avionics package.
effective across a large area against opposing troops and equipment.
intended to enter reinforced buildings before going off.
makes hostile airstrips unsuitable for aviation operations by targeting them.
With an error margin of fewer than 10 meters, the missile’s sophisticated navigation systems offer excellent accuracy, which is essential for striking tactical targets.
The Pralay’s ability to hit fast and avoid detection is enhanced by its top speed of Mach 6.1.
India’s conventional military capabilities have been strategically improved with the launch of the Pralay missile. In order to create a strong missile arsenal with both ballistic and cruise capabilities, it is intended to supplement current weapons such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. India can successfully counter threats from adversaries thanks to this dual capacity, especially along its western and northern borders with Pakistan and China.
With the goal of creating a tactical missile that could function well under India’s “No First Use” nuclear policy, the Pralay program was started in 2015. It is an advanced contribution to India’s defense arsenal since it incorporates technologies from multiple missile programs, such as interceptor systems and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
With improved striking capabilities against enemies and high levels of accuracy and adaptability on the battlefield, the Pralay SRBM is set to play a significant part in India’s military strategy. Its evolution shows India’s dedication to updating its armed forces in the face of shifting regional security conditions.
