India Army will soon get ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles, marking a significant enhancement of their firepower. This is the first time that a ballistic missile is being brought into service for conventional military operations.
The Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal of procuring a whole regiment of the indigenous Pralay tactical ballistic missiles which have the capability of striking targets at 150-500 kms.
These 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.
Pralay, along with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, will play a central role in India’s Rocket Force.
But what exactly is Pralay?
Pralay is set to become the Army’s longest-range surface-to-surface missile, with the ability to strike targets ranging from 150 to 500 kilometers away. What makes it unique is its capability to change its flight path mid-flight after covering a certain distance, making it challenging for interceptor missiles to track.
Pralay has been likened to China’s Dong Feng 12 and the Russian Iskander missile, both of which have seen use in recent conflicts. This acquisition aligns with a broader strategy to develop a strategic rocket force, a concept advocated by Late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
This development follows Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar’s recent remarks, confirming General Rawat’s work in establishing a rocket force to counter potential threats along the borders. Pralay missiles have already undergone successful testing and have been in the pipeline for acquisition and induction.
The Pralay missiles are propelled by solid-propellant rocket motors and incorporate cutting-edge technologies, promising to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities.
More about Pralay
The decision to procure the indigenous short-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile Pralay was made 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.
Pralay, enclosed in a canister, boasts a range of 150-500 kilometers, tailored to meet the Army’s requirement for a tactical conventional missile for battlefield use.
What Makes Pralay Powerful?
Pralay stands on par with China’s Dong Feng 12 and the Russian Iskander missile, which has seen action in Ukraine. The US Army is also working to extend the range of a similar short-range ballistic missile known as the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).
One of Pralay’s standout features is its quasi-ballistic nature. It maintains a low trajectory, behaving mostly like a ballistic missile, but it retains the ability to manoeuvre during flight, making it challenging to intercept.
Unlike intercontinental ballistic missiles that exit the Earth’s atmosphere, short-range ballistic missiles like Pralay stay within it.
Pralay is set to join the Rocket Force, alongside the BrahMos missile and other systems like Smerch and indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel missile launchers. According to sources, Pralay’s accuracy is one of its strong points. It can carry a conventional warhead ranging from 350 kg to 700 kg, granting it formidable striking power.
When asked about the need for a ballistic missile when there is already a cruise missile, sources clarified that each has its distinct advantages. While the BrahMos offers high agility, stealth, and even the ability to linger in an area, Pralay excels in speed, making it a tough target even for modern air defence systems.