Maintaining the tempo of modernisation of missile systems, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully carried out the maiden flight test of ‘Pralay’ surface to surface missile that can destroy a target in the range of 400 to 500 km and is part of the Prithvi missile arsenal.

The new missile can also carry nuclear warhead. It met all the mission objectives during the test firing from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha at about 10.30 am, officials said here later. The test came days after Agni-P with the capability of hitting targets beyond 2,000 km was successfully launched on December 18.

The ‘Pralay’ 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 sub-systems performed satisfactorily. 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 powered with solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometre and can be launched from a mobile launcher. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and associated teams for this maiden development flight trial. He complimented the DRDO for the fast track development and successful launch of modern surface-to-surface missile.

DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the team and said 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.

As for Agni-Prime(P), the nuclear capable missile, has the capability to hit a target at more than 2,000 kms. The weapon system gives the forces the advantage of covering any target in China and the Indo-Pacific region. It was the second successful test after the first test conducted earlier this year. 

At present, India has an array of strategic deterrence missiles including Agni-V which has a range of over 5,000 km besides Prithvi short range ballistic missiles.  Strategic and ballistic missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Moreover, India has now completed the nuclear triad meaning it can launch nuclear missiles from air, land, sea and underwater from submarines.

The nuclear arsenal of the country is handled by the Strategic Forces Command.  Besides the Agni missiles, the country is also indigenously manufacturing nuclear powered submarines Arihant.  While the first submarine is already ready, the next two submarines will also be ready shortly.  In all, four such nuclear submarines will add muscle to India’s nuclear prowess.