Defense Ministry approves purchase of Pralay ballistic missile for Army

The Union Ministry of Defence, Government of India has approved the proposal to procure one regiment of Pralay Tactical Ballistic Missiles for the Indian Army.

The Pralay tactical ballistic missile is capable of attacking targets up to 150-500 km.

• In this context, the officials concerned said that Pralay missiles are currently being mass produced and are expected to be ready for operational service soon.
• This is the first time that a ballistic missile will be inducted into the services for conventional operations.
• Pralay missiles will be deployed along the Line of Actual Control with China and the Line of Control with Pakistan.
• The acquisition of these missiles is part of a broader strategy to develop a strategic rocket force, recommended by the first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat.
• The development comes after Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar's recent comments, who said that General Bipin Rawat was working on building a rocket force to counter enemies on the border.
• The Pralay missiles, which were tested successfully on two consecutive days in December 2022, have since undergone preparations for acquisition and induction by the armed forces.

Pralay Missile:

• It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SR-SAM) developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• Work on this missile system started around the year 2015.
• The strike capability of this missile can be further increased as per the demand of the army.
• It has been developed by DRDO in such a way that it is capable of dodging even interceptor missiles.
• 'Pralay' is also capable of changing its course after covering some distance in the air. It uses a solid-propellant rocket motor as well as other cutting-edge technology.
• Pralay missiles powered by these innovative technologies are expected to provide a substantial boost to the offensive capabilities of the Indian Army.
• The speed of the Pralay missile in the terminal phase will be 1200 kilometers per hour. But it can increase up to 2000 kilometers per hour. That is, when it falls on the target from the air, its speed increases. Because at that time gravity starts working.
• By deploying this missile on the border of China and Pakistan, India will be able to control both the countries.

India's neighbors equipped with these facilities:

• China has this type of Dongfeng-12 missile. Whereas, Pakistan has Ghaznavi, M-11 (obtained from China) and Shaheen missiles.
• The advantage of short range is that it can destroy enemy bases near the range in a very short time.

Major Full Form for Exam:

• SR-SAM: Short Range Surface to Air Missile.