PRALAY TACTICAL BALLISTIC MISSILES

19th September, 2023 Security

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Context

The Defence Ministry has cleared the proposal of buying a regiment of Pralay tactical ballistic missiles for the Indian Army.

Pralay Missile

About

Pralay is a canisterised Tactical, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) for Battlefield use.

Project

The missile project was sanctioned in 2015.
It is a derivative of the Prahaar missile program, which was first tested in 2011.
Pralay draws elements from various missile programs, including the K-series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and the ballistic defence shield program.

Development

Features

Capable of striking targets 150 to 500 kilometres away, Pralay is the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the Indian Army inventory.
The solid propellant rocket-powered missile flies on a “quasi-ballistic trajectory,” making it difficult to intercept.
It maintains a low trajectory, behaving mostly like a ballistic missile, but it retains the ability to maneuver during flight, making it challenging to intercept.
Its guidance includes a “state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.”
Pralay carries 350 kg to 700 kg high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead.
'Pralay' ballistic missiles can hit targets between 150 and 500 kms away.
It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range in midair.
Pralay is designed to target radar and communication installations, command and control centers and advance airfields using conventional warhead.

Note: Unlike intercontinental ballistic missiles that exit the Earth’s atmosphere, short-range ballistic missiles like Pralay stay within it.

Application

'Pralay' missiles are intended for deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC), essentially the borders with China and Pakistan, respectively.
Both China and Pakistan have already deployed ballistic missiles for tactical purposes in these regions.

Significance

Pralay stands on par with China’s Dong Feng 12 and the Russian Iskander missile, which has seen action in Ukraine.
Pralay excels in speed, making it a tough target even for modern air defence systems.
Pralay, along with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, will play a central role in India’s Rocket Force to counter potential threats along the borders.
The Pralay missiles incorporate cutting-edge technologies, promising to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities.

BASICS OF MISSILES: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/the-basics-of-missiles

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Pralay Ballistic Tactical Missiles.

1. Pralay is the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the Indian Army inventory.

2. 'Pralay' ballistic missiles can hit targets between 150 and 1000 kms away.

3. It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range in midair.

How many of the above are correct?

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) All 3

D) None