India’s First Quasi-Ballistic Missile Pralay

Context: The DRDO will showcase “Pralay,” India’s first short-range quasi-ballistic missile for conventional strikes, at the Republic Day parade.

About Pralay Missile

Pralay, India’s first quasi-ballistic missile, represents a significant step forward in the nation’s defence technology. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pralay combines advanced precision-guided technology with high-speed manoeuvrability, making it a formidable addition to India’s arsenal.

• Type: Indigenous, short-range, quasi-ballistic missile.
• Range: Up to 400 kilometers, making it suitable for deployment along both the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor & is capable of carrying conventional warheads.
• Pralay complements BrahMos and Prahar missiles which are already in the Indian missile inventory.
• Global Examples: Russia’s Iskander-M & China’s Dong Feng 12 a

Strategic Importance

• Counterforce Capability: Pralay provides India with an edge in striking high-value enemy targets, including missile silos, airfields, and logistics hubs.
• Deterrence: Its development strengthens India’s posture in maintaining regional stability and countering threats, particularly in contested areas.
• Indigenization: As a product of DRDO, Pralay showcases India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology.

Quasi – Ballistic Missiles

• It combines features of traditional ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
• Unlike pure ballistic missiles that follow a high-arcing trajectory, quasi-ballistic missiles:
  • Maneuver mid-flight to adjust their path.
  • Generally, they fly at a lower altitude, making them harder to detect and intercept.

Key Characteristics

• Speed: Travel at high speeds, often in the hypersonic range (Mach 5 or above).
• Stealth capacity: Can evade missile defence systems more effectively than standard ballistic missiles.
• Precision: Designed for greater accuracy, making them ideal for targeted strikes.

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