Report: India to deploy new Pralay twin ballistic missile launcher near borders with China and Pakistan - M5 Dergi
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Report: India to deploy new Pralay twin ballistic missile launcher near borders with China and Pakistan

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India’s Republic Day Parade 2025, showcased the Twin Launcher of the Pralay ballistic missile system for the first time. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pralay is a tactical quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile with a range of 150 to 500 kilometers. The twin launcher configuration allows for the consecutive launch of two missiles. It is mounted on an Ashok Leyland 12×12 high-mobility vehicle, replacing the earlier Czech-origin Tatra launchers with an indigenous design. Future Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) developments will involve BEML.

The Indian Air Force placed an order for 120 Pralay missiles in December 2022, followed by an order for 250 units by the Indian Army in 2023. These acquisitions are intended to strengthen India’s capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC). Pralay is part of the Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), which includes systems such as BrahMos, Nirbhay, and Pinaka. The twin missile canisters on the mobile launcher, along with an integrated communications system, extendable mast, and launcher arm articulation system with a jet deflector, meet the Army’s requirements for a tactical ballistic missile. User trials and formal induction are planned, with further development underway to extend the missile’s range.

India’s deployment of missiles along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) is a strategic measure in response to the military capabilities of neighboring countries, particularly China and Pakistan. Both nations have enhanced their missile systems near these borders; for instance, Pakistan has inducted the Chinese-made HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system along the LoC, and China has deployed similar systems along the LAC. In response, India has approved the procurement of Pralay ballistic missiles for deployment along these borders, aiming to bolster its defense posture. Additionally, India and China have engaged in diplomatic efforts to manage border tensions, reaching agreements on patrolling arrangements along the LAC to prevent further escalation.

The Pralay missile program began in 2015 with an allocated budget of ₹332.88 crore, incorporating elements from prior Indian missile projects, including the Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV) and the Prahaar missile. Research Centre Imarat (RCI) led the integration process, with aerodynamic testing conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories. The missile employs a composite propellant similar to that of the Sagarika missile, enhancing energy efficiency compared to earlier systems. As a tactical quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile, the Pralay could be compared to missiles such as Russia’s 9K720 Iskander, China’s Dongfeng 12 (CSS-X-15), the United States’ Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), and South Korea’s Hyunmoo 2.

This new 12×12 transport-erector launcher (TEL) is equipped with two Pralay missile canisters, an integrated communications system with an extendable mast, and a launcher arm articulation system with a jet deflector. (Picture source: Twitter/Manish Prasad)

The Pralay has a payload capacity ranging from 350 to 700 kilograms and is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor. It is equipped with guidance systems that provide a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters. Warhead options include high-explosive fragmentation, penetration-cum-blast (PCB), and runway denial submunitions (RDPS). The missile reaches terminal speeds of Mach 6.1 and can engage targets such as radar installations, command centers, and airstrips. Its radome, made from fused silica, contains a millimeter-wave seeker for targeting. Work is ongoing to improve accuracy, targeting a CEP of less than 4 meters. Trials in December 2021 and November 2023 confirmed the missile’s operational range, payload capacity, and guidance capabilities.

The missile’s design builds on technologies from the Prahaar missile program and the K-series submarine-launched ballistic missiles. It uses a solid-propellant motor and maneuverable re-entry vehicle for improved performance against missile defense systems. Trials in 2021 and 2023 verified its range, payload flexibility, and readiness for battlefield deployment. The missile supports various warhead types, enabling strikes on multiple target types, including radar sites and runways.

International interest in the Pralay missile has also been noted. The Indian Ministry of Defense has approved the export of the missile, with reports indicating advanced negotiations for a sale to Armenia. Export variants are being developed to comply with international regulations, limiting the range to 300 kilometers and payload to 500 kilograms. This aligns with Armenia’s defense requirements, especially following Azerbaijan’s procurement of the Israeli LORA missile system. India and Armenia have previously cooperated on defense deals, including the sale of Swathi radars and Excalibur precision artillery shells. Armenia has also shown interest in acquiring the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system and ATAGS howitzers, which could complement the potential purchase of the Pralay missile.

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