Pralay Quasi-Ballistic Missile

Subject – Defence and Security

Context – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Wednesday successfully carried out the maiden test of ‘Pralay’

Concept –

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden test of ‘Pralay’, a new surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile, in a boost for India’s tactical battlefield strategy.
A quasi-ballistic missile has a low trajectory, and while it is largely ballistic, it can manoeuvre in flight. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometres and has been developed according to specifications given by eventual user, the Army.
The missile was tested from the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha and met all its objectives.
The missile is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and multiple new technologies.
Capable of being launched from a mobile launcher, it has the latest navigation system and integrated avionics, and will be part of the Artillery Corps of the Army.
Pralay will be the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the inventory of the Army, which sources said will give a fillip to their operational plans.
While cruise missiles have high agility, stealth and even loitering capability, ballistic missiles have the advantage of speed and countering them is a very difficult task even for modern air defence systems.