Indian defence forces are set to place orders for two more Pralay ballistic missiles at a cost of over Rs 7,500 crore, taking a giant step towards developing a strong rocket force to counter the threat from the northern borders.
The proposal for the acquisition of these missiles for ground forces is nearing completion and will be approved soon. Pralay ballistic missiles can strike targets from 150 to 500 kilometres away and are extremely difficult for the enemy to intercept with interceptor missiles. According to the sources, work is also being done to extend the range of these missiles by a few hundred kilometres to provide forces with a more powerful capability.
The missile system started getting development around 2015, and the development of such a capability was given a push by the late Gen Bipin Rawat as Chief of Army Staff.
The missile was successfully tested twice on consecutive days last year, on December 21 and 22, 2021. A quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile, ‘Pralay, has been developed in a way to be able to defeat interceptor missiles. It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range in midair.
‘Pralay’ is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor and other new technologies. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics. The missile would be first inducted into the Indian Air Force and would be followed by the Indian Army.