The Indian armed forces are contemplating the integration of ballistic missiles with a reach of approximately 1,500 kilometers as part of their recently proposed rocket force. This decision follows the recent approval by the Defense Ministry for the procurement of Pralay ballistic missiles.
Authorities suggest that they may choose from the existing array of ballistic missiles in the strategic forces for conventional deployment. The creation of a rocket force is intended to bolster India’s medium-range striking capabilities, a capability already held by neighboring nations such as Pakistan and China.
Pralay missiles, which are currently in mass production, are anticipated to become operational in the near future. These missiles, propelled by solid-propellant rocket motors and furnished with cutting-edge technologies, possess a range of 150 to 500 kilometers. The rocket force initiative will significantly enhance the efforts of the armed forces in establishing a strategic rocket force, a concept initially advocated by the late Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
This vision has recently been reaffirmed by Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, who noted that General Rawat had been working towards the establishment of a rocket force to counter border threats.
The missile’s guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics. “Pralay is a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile. The advanced missile has been developed to be capable of defeating interceptor missiles. It has the capability to alter its trajectory after covering a specific mid-air range,” sources disclosed.
