Pralay Missile

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) recently conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of the Pralay missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. These tests mark a significant milestone in India's missile development program and showcase the nation’s growing capabilities in precision strike systems.

About the Pralay Missile

The Pralay missile is an indigenously developed quasi-ballistic missile that combines cutting-edge guidance and navigation technologies to ensure high precision and versatility in targeting a wide range of threats. The missile’s design allows it to function effectively in multiple combat scenarios, making it a crucial asset for India’s defense strategy.

Key Features of the Pralay Missile

1. Solid Propellant: The missile is powered by solid propellants, providing greater stability and efficiency for quick launches and effective flight trajectories.

   Multiple Warhead Capability: The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads, providing flexibility depending on the nature of the target and the mission's objective.

   Range:

   • The missile has a range of 150-500 km, making it suitable for tactical and strategic strikes within medium-range distances.

   Payload Capacity:

   • The missile can carry a payload ranging from 500-1,000 kg, which includes conventional warheads, designed to cause significant damage to specific targets.

   Guidance & Precision:

   • The Pralay missile is equipped with advanced guidance systems that ensure high precision during strike missions.

   • It boasts a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, making it a highly accurate missile system.

   Terminal Speeds:

   • It reaches a terminal speed of Mach 6.1, ensuring high velocity and strike capability, which allows it to engage various targets like radar installations, command centers, airstrips, and other critical infrastructure.

   Mid-air Path Alteration:

   • One of its standout features is its ability to change its path midair after covering a certain range, making it more difficult for adversaries to predict its trajectory or counter its attack.

Development & Industry Partners

• Developed by: The Pralay missile has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) under the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Collaborators: The missile project has been carried out in collaboration with other DRDO labs and industry partners such as:

  • Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

  • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

  • Numerous industries and MSMEs that play a critical role in supplying components and systems for missile development.

Strategic Significance of the Pralay Missile

• Tactical Strikes: With its capability to strike precision targets, the Pralay missile will enhance India’s tactical strike capabilities on the battlefield.

• Enhanced Defence: The missile’s flexible range and payload options allow India to deploy it in varied defense operations, from conventional military strikes to operations designed to disrupt key infrastructure in enemy territories.

• Indigenous Production: The successful development and testing of the Pralay missile bolster India’s self-reliance in defense production and reduce dependence on foreign missile systems.