Nuclear weapon carrying missile Pralay to make debut at Republic Day parade

The newly-developed short-range tactical nuclear-tipped missile Pralay will make its public debut at the Republic Day parade, while more than 5,000 tribal artists would be performing at the cultural level at the parade on Kartavya Path.

The 90-minute parade would have 31 tableaux, including 16 from the states and 15 from the central ministries. Tableaux from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh are among those selected to participate in the parade. It is the 150^th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and some of the tableaux would reflect that.

The parade would have 18 marching contingents and 15 bands. The parade will kick-off with a cultural troupe of 300 performers. The Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at the event. A military matching contingent, band and cultural troupe from Indonesia would be joining in.

The display of Pralay missile is important. The missile marks a significant advancement in the country’s tactical ballistic missile capabilities. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Pralay is a surface-to-surface, canisterised missile system designed for battlefield use.

The Pralay is classified in military terminology as a Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM).

It operates within the short-range, typically covering distances between 150 to 500 km. It’s ‘elder sister’, like Agni-V, target long distances of 5,500 km.

Powered by a solid propellant motor, it offers quick launch capabilities and increased mobility.

The Pralay can change course mid-flight, making it difficult to intercept with traditional missile defence systems.

When striking at targets, it has a high accuracy. The Pralay is designed for high accuracy, ensuring precise target strikes. The SRBM adds another layer of strategic flexibility to India’s military arsenal, providing options for a range of scenarios.