New Delhi (Khyber Mail): India has decided to deploy its Pralay tactical ballistic missile systems along its borders with Pakistan and China, marking a significant step in enhancing its defense capabilities in these sensitive regions.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has approved the acquisition of approximately 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian Army, which will be strategically positioned to strengthen India’s defense posture along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pralay missile is a short-range tactical ballistic missile that has a range of 150 to 400 kilometers, making it suitable for precision strikes in combat scenarios along the borders. With a flight altitude of around 35 to 40 kilometers and an ability to carry a payload of 500 kg to 1,000 kg of conventional warheads, the Pralay missile is designed to deliver a high-impact strike, capable of hitting high-value targets with exceptional accuracy.
The missile uses a solid-propellant rocket motor, allowing it to travel at speeds of up to Mach 2.5. It has been built with modern technologies like a guidance system based on inertial navigation and GPS, ensuring high precision during tactical missions. Its warhead can be equipped for a variety of purposes, from high-explosive fragmentation to anti-aircraft roles, depending on the nature of the threat and mission parameters.
The Pralay missile’s mobile launch system ensures quick deployment, maneuverability, and the ability to operate in rugged and difficult terrain, which is vital for India’s strategic interests along its northern and western borders. It can be launched from road-mobile platforms, allowing for flexibility and making it difficult to target during adversary strikes.
India’s decision to deploy the Pralay missile comes amid the ongoing security challenges posed by both Pakistan and China, with whom tensions have fluctuated over territorial disputes. The Pralay missile is expected to provide India with a robust deterrence capability, offering the ability to launch rapid and precise counterattacks in the event of hostilities.
This deployment aligns with India’s broader military modernization efforts, focusing on strengthening its deterrence capabilities and improving rapid-response capabilities in the region. The Pralay missile system’s induction is expected to be completed soon, further solidifying India’s defense infrastructure in the face of increasing regional tensions.
The strategic positioning of these missile systems is seen as a critical measure in ensuring national security in one of the most geopolitically sensitive regions in the world.