India’s Defense Ministry Procures Indigenous SRBM Missile Pralay

The Ministry of Defense has recently made significant strides in upgrading the nation’s war-fighting capabilities, securing Indigenously developed Short-Range Ballistic Surface-to-Surface (SRBM) missile- Pralay. This development has been a key point of interest lately.

Understanding Pralay: India’s Conventional Quasi-Ballistic Missile

Pralay’s Features: Advanced Technology in Action

Pralay employs a solid propellant rocket motor and numerous new technologies. Its guidance system comprises a cutting-edge navigation system and integrated avionics providing better accuracy. The missile bears similarities to China’s Dong Feng 12 and Russia’s Iskander missile. Pralay’s payload capacity ranges between 350 kg to 700 kg, including options for high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead, penetration-cum-blast (PCB) and runaway denial penetration submunition (RDPS), lending it formidable punitive capabilities.

Range: From Defence to Offence

Pralay has a range of 150-500 km and can be launched from a mobile launcher. It will be the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the Indian Army’s inventory. Alongside the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which has a range of over 290 km, Pralay boosts the country’s long-range offensive capabilities.

Significance: Changing Battlefield Dynamics

Pralay will provide India’s armed forces with the capacity to strike enemy positions and vital installations in actual battlefield areas. Its addition to India’s planned Rocket Force is a game changer, ushering in new tactical battlefield dynamics. The Indian Army now possesses two long-range conventional missiles, with Pralay serving as the ballistic option, while the BrahMos remains the cruise option.

Ballistic Vs Cruise Missiles: A Comparison

Ballistic missiles, like Pralay, travel in projectile motion, their trajectory influenced by gravity, air resistance and the Coriolis Force. They exit and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, having longer ranges (300 km to 12,000 km). Cruise missiles, on the other hand, like the BrahMos, follow a straighter trajectory within the Earth’s atmosphere and have comparatively shorter ranges (up to 1000 km).

Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination Question related to the topic

Question: In reference to the Agni-IV Missile, which statement(s) is/are correct? (2014)
1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

Options:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)