India is advancing its tactical missile capabilities by enhancing the range, accuracy, and lethality of the Pralay ballistic missile, a short-range surface-to-surface weapon developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This significant leap forward is part of India’s broader effort to modernize its military arsenal in response to evolving security challenges and regional dynamics.
According to a report by The Times of India on September 28, India’s defense forces are preparing to induct an improved version of the Pralay missile, which will have an extended range of 400 kilometers. This development aligns with the concurrent induction of the long-range Nirbhay cruise missile, which is capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. These advancements underscore India’s commitment to fortifying its defense infrastructure in an increasingly complex global security environment.
Lt. Gen. A. Kumar, Director General of the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery, confirmed during a press briefing that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of both missile systems. He emphasized that DRDO’s continuous development efforts aim to refine these weapons to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare. “Our missile program is progressing well at the desired pace, wherein research and development is being carried out by DRDO to enhance the range, accuracy, and lethality of both ballistic and cruise missiles,” Kumar said.
Enhancing India’s Missile Arsenal
The introduction of the upgraded Pralay and Nirbhay missile systems marks a significant milestone in India’s defense modernization efforts. These systems are designed to provide India with a robust tactical edge, particularly in terms of strike capabilities and long-range firepower. Both missiles represent a culmination of years of research and innovation, driven by the need to address emerging threats in the region.
The Pralay missile, in particular, has emerged as a centerpiece of India’s tactical ballistic missile program. It was originally sanctioned in March 2015 and has since evolved into one of the most formidable short-range ballistic missile systems in the country’s arsenal. Project ‘Pralay’ brings together technologies from two major missile systems: the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), an exoatmospheric interceptor, and the Prahar tactical missile.
The missile is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor and follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, allowing it to perform mid-air maneuvers using a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) to evade detection and interception by anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems. This ability to conduct evasive maneuvers during its terminal phase makes the Pralay a highly adaptable and survivable weapon on the modern battlefield.
The first trials of Pralay were conducted in December 2021, with subsequent tests following in December 2022. These tests verified the missile’s range, payload capabilities, and precision, setting the stage for its eventual operational deployment. In the most recent test conducted on November 7, 2023, the Pralay missile successfully met all mission objectives, paving the way for its formal induction into India’s defense forces.
One of the key attributes of the Pralay missile is its quick-reaction capability. It can be launched from a mobile canister-based platform within 10 minutes of receiving the command. This rapid deployment capability allows for quick transitions from command to launch in just 60 seconds, providing a high degree of operational flexibility.
Furthermore, the missile system is designed to be highly mobile, with a 12×12 vehicle capable of carrying two Pralay missiles. These missiles can be launched from different trajectories to strike either the same target or multiple targets in a single mission, adding an element of unpredictability that further complicates an adversary’s defensive strategy.
Pralay’s Advanced Features
The Pralay missile’s advanced capabilities make it a critical asset for India’s defense forces. It employs inertial navigation for mid-flight guidance and utilizes radar imaging for terminal homing, ensuring a high degree of precision in striking its targets. The missile is reported to have a Circular Error Probability (CEP) of around 10 meters, underscoring its accuracy.
A standout feature of Pralay is its terminal phase maneuverability, enabled by a jet vane system for thrust vector control. This allows the missile to perform evasive maneuvers during the final phase of its trajectory, reducing the likelihood of interception by enemy air defense systems. Similar to Russia’s Iskander-M missile, the Pralay may also be capable of deploying decoys to mislead and overwhelm adversary defenses.
India-based defense analyst Vijainder K Thakur commented on the parallels between the Pralay missile and Russia’s Iskander-M quasi-ballistic missile, which has gained a formidable reputation during Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine. “The Pralay missile is an analog of Russia’s Iskander-M missile, both exhibiting impressive accuracy with a CEP of around 10 meters,” Thakur noted. The Iskander-M uses advanced guidance systems, including Digital Scene Mapping and Correlation (DSMAC), and while Pralay currently relies on radio-frequency DSMAC, future upgrades could see even more sophisticated targeting capabilities.
The Pralay missile also features an indigenously developed fused silica radar dome (RADOME) for radar imaging during terminal guidance, further enhancing its precision in targeting adversaries. These cutting-edge technologies, coupled with its speed and maneuverability, position the Pralay as a highly effective weapon in modern tactical scenarios.
India’s Expanding Tactical Arsenal
In addition to the Pralay and Nirbhay missile systems, the Indian Army is also bolstering its long-range firepower by incorporating additional regiments of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system into its inventory. Lt. Gen. Kumar emphasized that six more regiments of the Pinaka system are being added to the Indian Army’s arsenal, enhancing the country’s ability to conduct precision strikes over a wider range of targets.
This expansion, Kumar stressed, has “added more punch and lethality” to India’s defense capabilities, reflecting a broader push to improve long-range firepower and tactical flexibility. As India learns from ongoing global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, it is adapting its military doctrine and tactical approaches to ensure it remains ahead of future challenges.
“Our focus will remain on enhancing operational preparedness and staying ahead of challenges by innovating our technical and tactical philosophies,” Kumar said, underscoring India’s commitment to continuous improvement in defense readiness.
Hypersonic and Future Technologies
India’s missile development is not limited to the Pralay and Nirbhay systems. According to Lt. Gen. Kumar, efforts to develop hypersonic missile technology are also well underway. Hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, are considered game-changers in modern warfare due to their speed, maneuverability, and ability to evade even the most advanced missile defense systems.
The DRDO has been actively pursuing research in this area, and while specifics remain classified, India’s push to develop hypersonic missile technology reflects its determination to be at the forefront of missile advancements. Should India succeed in this endeavor, it would join a select group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that are developing or deploying hypersonic weapons.
India’s missile advancements have not gone unnoticed by the international community. Previous reports indicate that Armenia has expressed interest in acquiring the Pralay missile, a development that could mark a significant milestone for India’s defense exports. If the deal materializes, it would add to the growing list of countries interested in acquiring Indian defense technologies, following the success of the BrahMos missile, which has already been exported to countries like the Philippines.
A potential export contract with Armenia, or any other country, would further solidify DRDO’s reputation as a leading missile exporter and boost India’s stature in the global defense market. This comes as India continues to diversify its defense partnerships and seek new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
India’s push to enhance its missile capabilities, particularly with the introduction of the Pralay and Nirbhay missile systems, reflects a broader strategy to build a formidable and technologically advanced military. The Pralay missile, with its extended range, precision targeting, and evasive capabilities, is set to play a critical role in India’s tactical defense arsenal.
As Lt. Gen. Kumar emphasized, the integration of these advanced missile systems into India’s military is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements but staying ahead of potential adversaries in an increasingly volatile global landscape. With ongoing development in hypersonic technology and a growing interest from international partners, India is positioning itself as a major player in both the regional and global defense arenas.
With these developments, India is poised to meet future security challenges with a highly capable and diversified arsenal, ensuring that its defense forces remain at the cutting edge of modern warfare.
