Context

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay', from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

About

About the missile

• Developed by: Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO)
• The missile is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies. 
• The solid-fuel, battlefield missile has a range of 150-500 kilometre and can be launched from a mobile launcher.
• 'Pralay' is a short-range, surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
• The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.
• The new missile followed the desired quasi ballistic trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms.
• All the sensors deployed near the impact point across the eastern coast, including the down range ships, tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events.
• The missile is based on Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian ballistic missile programme.

Significance of the development

• Security on borders: 'Pralay' is India's first conventional ballistic missile and is an answer to any conventional missile attack from northern or western borders.
• Strengthening of capacity: The missile development is significant as India had no conventionally armed ballistic missile and was hampered by 'No First Use' nuclear policy.
• This is a new generation surface-to-surface missile equipped with modern technologies and induction of this weapon system will give the necessary impetus to the armed forces