In a major impetus to its rocket arsenal, India is looking forward to getting 250 more Pralay Ballistic Missiles. This comes after a unit of the ordnance saw clearance from the Ministry of Defence for the Indian Air Force.
The Pralay Ballistic Missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), are capable of engaging targets at a range of 150 to 500 km. The DRDO is also in the works to further develop the ballistic missiles by increasing their hitting range to a few hundred kilometres.
The Pralay
DRDO began with the development of India’s first quasi-ballistic missile in 2015. The indigenously developed, surface-to-surface missile witnessed its maiden flight test on December 21, 2021, and consecutively on December 22, 2021. That was for the first time that two consecutive flight tests of a ballistic missile had been conducted successfully on two consecutive days.
The missile is propelled by a solid propellant rocket motor and a number of cutting-edge technology. The missile, capable of being fired from a mobile launcher, comes equipped with modern navigation technology and integrated avionics in the missile guidance system.
The quasi-ballistic missile has been developed in a way that it can beat interceptor missiles. It also boasts of the capacity to alter its course after flying a specific distance in midair.
Reportedly, the cost of two more units of the Pralay Ballistic Missiles for the armed forces would be around Rs, 7,500 crores. It is expected that the defence forces are planning to form a Rocket Force which will include assets from all three services.
The move also comes keeping in mind the level of threat India faces along the International Borders. With the acquisition of the missiles, the proposal for which has reached the advanced stages, the armed forces will be able to up their game in maintaining security.
Envisioned by India’s first Chief of Defence Staff late General Bipin Rawat, the Pralay Ballistic Missile will be one of the main elements of the country’s dedicated Rocket Force and play a key role in defending the nation against long-range threats.
