Pralay (missile)

Pralay
TypeTactical ballistic missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byIndian Army
Indian Air Force
Production history
DesignerResearch Centre Imarat
ManufacturerBharat Electronics
Bharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass5 tonnes (4.9 long tons; 5.5 short tons)[1]
Length> 7.5 - 11 m
Diameter> 420 mm, within 750 mm
WarheadHEPF, PCB, RDPS[2][3][4]
Warhead weight
  • 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb)[5][6]
  • 500–1,000 kg (1,100–2,200 lb)[7][8]
EngineTwo stage rocket + MaRV[1][9]
PropellantSolid
Operational
range
150–500 km (93–311 mi)[10]
Maximum speed Mach 6.1 (7,470 km/h; 4,640 mph; 2.08 km/s)[11][12][13]
Guidance
system
Mid-course: INS[1]
Terminal: MMW DSMAC + Radar Imaging[14]
Accuracy<10 metres (33 ft) CEP[15][16][13]
Launch
platform
12 x 12 Ashok Leyland HMV TEL[17][18]

Pralay[19] (lit. 'Apocalypse') is a canisterised surface-to-surface, short-range, tactical ballistic missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.[20][1] It uses a combination of technologies created for the Prahaar tactical missile, and the exoatmospheric interceptor Prithvi Defence Vehicle.[1][21][22] The project to develop Pralay was sanctioned in March 2015 with a budget of ₹332.88 crore (equivalent to ₹502 crore or US$59 million in 2023)[23] and became ready for induction in 2022.[24]

Pralay will become a part of the Integrated Rocket Force along with Nirbhay, BrahMos, and Pinaka.[25][26]

Development

Research Centre Imarat is the lead integrator of this project. Additionally, Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics Limited are collaborating in the research and manufacturing of the weapon.[27] Pralay belongs to the same class as Dongfeng 12 (CSS-X-15), Precision Strike Missile, 9K720 Iskander and Hyunmoo 2. Powered by a solid fuel rocket motor, the missile reportedly flies a quasi-ballistic trajectory in hypersonic speed, with the ability to perform terminal maneuvers to hinder anti-ballistic missile interceptors.[28][29][12]

DRDO created it to counter China's Dongfeng-12, and Pakistan's Nasr short-range missiles.[27] Time from deployment to launch is reportedly within 10 minutes, while transition time from command to launch is reportedly 60 seconds.[14][30][31] The weapon is being produced by Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Pralay uses the same composite propellant developed by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory for Sagarika from K Missile family. The composite propellant is highly efficient and generates more energy compared to propellant used in Agni missile series.[32] The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.[33]

Pralay carries 350–700 kg and 500-1,000 kg High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation (HEPF), Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) and Runway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS) at a range of 150 km to 500 km. Pralay is designed to target radar and communication installations, command and control centers and advance airfields using conventional warhead.[34][35][36] The system is road mobile and meets the tactical ballistic missile requirement of the Indian Army.[37] Pralay fills the gap of a conventionally armed ballistic missile that is not hampered by 'No First Use' nuclear policy.[38][39]

Further work is in progress to extend the range by another few hundred kilometers.[40] In 2022, the missile was ready for induction.[41]

Testing

  • 22 December 2021: DRDO conducted the maiden test of Pralay from Abdul Kalam Island.[42] The missile followed quasi ballistic trajectory reaching the designated target at 400 km with high degree of accuracy, validating controls, guidance system and mission algorithms.[43][38]
  • 23 December 2021: DRDO conducted another test of Pralay from Abdul Kalam Island.[44] The test was conducted using heavier payload to check the lethality and accuracy of the weapon. Pralay covered the maximum range of 500 km and was monitored by range sensors and instruments, including telemetry, radar and electro-optic tracking system deployed across the eastern coast and the downrange ships positioned near the impact point.[45][38]
  • 7 November 2023: DRDO launched Pralay from Abdul Kalam Island. The test was successful and met all the required mission objectives.[7]
  • 28–29 July 2025: The missile was tested successfully from Abdul Kalam Island as part of User Evaluation Trials. The missile followed the designated trajectory and was accurate in meeting the tests objectives — demonstrate its maximum and minimum range capabilities. This marked the end of Phase-I flights.[46][47][48]

Induction

Pralay missiles on Ashok Leyland 12×12 high mobility vehicle.

The development phase of Pralay began in 2015 and completed in four years. DRDO will conduct four test flights before the missile being commissioned.[32] According to analysts, development of Pralay achieved an important milestone for India's future Rocket Force.[39][49] In view of 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Indian Armed Forces in December 2022 moved proposal for acquisition of Pralay missile.[50] On 25 December 2022, Ministry of Defence cleared the order for 120 missiles for the Indian Air Force.[51]

Two more units of 250 Pralay missiles worth ₹7,500 crore are in advance stages of acquisition as of April 2023.[52][53]

The purchase of a Pralay regiment for the Indian Army was approved by the MoD on 17 September 2023. A similar proposal was earlier cleared for the Indian Air Force. The missile will be deployed with conventional warhead for tactical roles along Line of Actual Control and Line of Control.[54]

As of September 2024, the user trials and eventual induction of Pralay missiles are expected soon.[55][56]

On 26 January 2025, the Pralay twin launcher system based on Ashok Leyland 12×12 high mobility vehicle was featured at the 76th Republic Day Parade. The development of the missile is now over.[22][57]

Future development

According to reports, the Pralay missile's air-launched version is in development. The air-launched version seeks to increase the missile's operational versatility by permitting deployment from aerial assets, to increase the engagement envelope, and enable more rapid and nimble reactions in combat situations.[58]

Export

According to reports, advanced negotiations are underway to sell the Pralay missile to Armenia, and the India's Ministry of Defense has approved its transfer. The export version's payload carrying capability is limited to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb), and its range is limited to 300 kilometres (190 mi) in order to comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime.[11]

Operators

India

See also

Comparable missiles

References

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