DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’

What is the News?

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of ‘Pralay’ Missile.

What is a Pralay Missile?

Pralay is a surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile. The main aim of the missile is to defeat interceptor missiles.

Note: Quasi missile trajectory is also ballistic but after a certain range it changes the projectile path to defeat interceptors.

What are the key features of the Pralay Missile?

The missile has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range in the mid-air. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometres. It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.

The missile can be launched from a mobile launcher and its payload is designed to carry only a conventional warhead. The missile is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics.

The missile is based on the Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian ballistic missile programme.

What is the significance of the Pralay Missile?

The indigenous Pinaka can strike targets up to 60-70 km from the launchers; while variants of the Prithvi missile can strike the target upto 250-350 km away. 

The territory between them where the key targets will be located in wartime will be engaged by the Shourya, Prahar and Pralay missile systems.

Source: This post is based on the following articles:

– “DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile Pralay” published in PIB on 22nd Dec 2021.

– “Pralay missile successfully launched, raising Indian strike options” published in Business Standard on 23rd Dec 2021.