OtherFriday, November 6, 20261 min read

India tests Pralay: Weapon twice as fast as BrahMos

By Economic Times · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The surface-to-surface missile operates between Mach 5 and Mach 6, making it roughly double the speed of the BrahMos cruise missile. It covers distances ranging from 150 to 500 kilometres depending on whether it carries a 500-kilogram or 1,000-kilogram conventional warhead. Warhead choices include runway-denial, high-explosive fragmentation, and penetration-cum-blast munitions. The Defence Ministry confirmed all mission parameters were met, paving the way for operational fielding.

Key points

Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to…: Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to bypass hostile air defences.
India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as t…: India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as the Rocket Force.
Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to t…: Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to the Indian Air Force.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Listen to this article in summarized format

The Defence Ministry said the missile was test-fired from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island at around 11.10 am and met all the stipulated objectives. The successful trial brings the system closer to induction into the armed forces, with the ministry stating that its induction has become imminent.

Pralay is expected to give the Army and Air Force an additional option for striking high-value military targets, including enemy airbases, command centres, radar installations and logistics infrastructure. Its combination of high speed, mid-course manoeuvrability and a substantial conventional warhead is intended to make it harder for an adversary's air defence network to track and intercept.

Also Read: Mecca pact with Pakistan creates uproar in Turkey parliament: MPs ask why risking Turkish youth for foreign governments' political ambitions

Pralay missile speed: How it compares with BrahMos

One of Pralay's key characteristics is its reported speed. Open-source estimates place the missile's maximum velocity in the Mach 5 to Mach 6 range, compared with the BrahMos cruise missile's maximum speed of approximately Mach 2.8. This would make Pralay…

AI Analysis

Tone

Neutral

In short

Key Points

Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to…: Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to bypass hostile air defences.
India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as t…: India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as the Rocket Force.
Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to t…: Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to the Indian Air Force.

Topics

Other

Was this summary useful?

AI Analysis

Tone

Neutral

In short

Key Points

Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to…: Mid-course trajectory adjustments by a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle enable the weapon to bypass hostile air defences.
India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as t…: India plans to integrate the platform centrally into a dedicated new formation known as the Rocket Force.
Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to t…: Initial operational allocations assign 250 missiles to the Indian Army and 120 units to the Indian Air Force.

Topics

Other

Was this summary useful?

Kenyan doomsday cult leader given life sentence for murdering 191 people
The judicial ruling against Paul Mackenzie and 27 co-defendants concludes an eight-hour judgment in Mombasa that spared the perpetrators capital punishment following pleas for leniency. The mass killings unfolded in the Shakahola forest, where followers were coerced through religious doctrine into lethal starvation rituals targeting youth. The tragedy has triggered significant public backlash against local law enforcement for repeatedly failing to intervene in the group's activities.
3 min read
Wave of bomb threats afflict European flights for third time this week
Aviation operations across Europe remain under heightened strain as repeated security scares disrupt regional travel. Officials have not identified the source of the intimidation or named specific carriers and hubs affected by the recurring incidents. The ongoing wave marks the third instance of widespread flight warnings within the span of seven days.
1 min read
Georgia O'Keeffe painting bought for $3,800 could now fetch up to $3m
Hidden away for nearly four decades in an East Village closet, the rare 1930 landscape resurfaced after its late owner originally stashed it to deter overly curious visitors. The long-unseen artwork now heads to auction following a public exhibition at 20 Rockefeller Center, marking its first public viewing in nearly a century. Proceeds from the sale will benefit both the owner's surviving family and an educational institution.
3 min read

India tests Pralay: Weapon twice as fast as BrahMos

In short

Key points

More in Other