The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India is making significant strides in advancing the country's missile technology, particularly with the development and enhancement of the Pralay ballistic missile. This initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster the Indian Army's capabilities, especially in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Pralay Missile: A Tactical Game-Changer
The Pralay missile, developed by DRDO, is a canisterised surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) designed for battlefield use. It combines technologies from the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and the Prahaar tactical missile. With a range of 150-500 km, the Pralay missile is notable for its quasi-ballistic trajectory and ability to perform mid-air maneuvers using a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV), making it highly effective against anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptors.
The Pralay missile is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor and features a radio frequency (DSMACDigital Scene-Matching Area Correlation) seeker for terminal guidance. It can carry various types of warheads, including pre-fragmented, monolithic Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB), and Submunition PCB. The missile's design and capabilities make it an analog of Russias Iskander-M missile, known for its effectiveness in Ukraine.
Enhancement and Induction Plans
DRDO is continuously working to enhance the range, accuracy, and lethality of the Pralay missile. The organisation has conducted several successful tests, including trials on December 22 and 23, 2021, which validated the missile's controls, guidance system, and mission algorithms. Further tests are planned before the missile's induction into the Indian armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cleared the acquisition of 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian Air Force and has approved the purchase of a Pralay regiment for the Indian Army. These missiles will be deployed with conventional warheads for tactical roles along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).
Other Advanced Missile Systems
In addition to the Pralay missile, the Indian Army is also looking to induct other long-range missiles, including the 2,000 km range Nirbhay cruise missile. The Nirbhay and Pralay missiles are part of a broader missile programme aimed at enhancing the range, accuracy, and lethality of both ballistic and cruise missiles.
The DRDO is also working on developing hypersonic missiles, which are capable of traveling at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound. These missiles are difficult to detect and intercept, making them a significant addition to India's defence capabilities.
Modernization of Artillery and Training
The Indian Army is also focusing on modernizing its artillery systems, including the extension of the range of the indigenous Pinaka rockets up to 300 km. Improvements are being made to enhance the accuracy and lethality of ammunition, with collaborations between private and public sector industries and academia to develop advanced munitions such as Sensor Fuzed Munition (SFM) and Extended Range Ammunition using Ramjet.
Training for Agniveers, young soldiers under a new recruitment scheme, is being modernized with state-of-the-art physical training facilities and audio-visual training aids. The training curriculum is being updated to incorporate operational realities, especially along the Northern borders, and to include training on niche technology equipment such as Loiter Munitions, Swarm Drones, and Runway Independent RPAS.
Lessons from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war are being applied to enhance operational preparedness. The focus remains on integrating combined arms operations and continual innovations in technical, tactical, and employment philosophies to stay ahead of challenges and threats.
For more detailed information on India's missile defence systems, you can refer to the Pralay missile page on Wikipedia.
