SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
With a renewed emphasis on the creation of India’s Rocket Force, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to significantly ramp up the production of the Pralay Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM). The Pralay, a mobile, canister-based surface-to-surface missile with a range of 150-500 km, has garnered increasing attention from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army. Orders for 120 units were placed by each service branch, with an additional order for another 120 missiles currently in the pipeline. As India prepares to strengthen its missile capabilities, production rates are expected to increase substantially over the coming years.
The current production rate of the Pralay SRBM remains in the single digits per year, according to sources close to idrw.org. However, this number is set to rise gradually into double digits as the MoD expands its missile production capacity. The establishment of the Rocket Force, which is expected to require 1,000 Pralay missiles, has created a demand that will drive further production scale-ups. To meet these ambitious targets, outsourcing to private sector companies is being planned, to achieve double-digit production rates by 2027. If necessary, this could eventually increase to triple digits per year.
The Pralay SRBM is India’s latest addition to its conventional missile arsenal, providing a vital capability for deterrence and warfighting. Unlike China, which has a broader range of ground-launched missile options, India has relied primarily on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile for its conventional missile capabilities. The development of Pralay, with its longer range and ability to strike high-value targets, gives New Delhi a significant advantage in deterring potential adversaries, especially along the Sino-Indian border.
Since 2020, tensions between India and China have escalated following skirmishes along their disputed western border. Both nations have deployed substantial forces, with reports indicating that at least 50,000 ground troops and aerial assets are now positioned on each side. China has demonstrated its stand-off missile capabilities, both air-launched and ground-launched, prompting India to enhance its conventional strike options. The Pralay missile fills this gap, offering India a longer-range conventional ballistic missile that can threaten key targets across a wider area.
India’s drive to accelerate Pralay production aligns with its broader strategy to enhance its missile capabilities and establish a credible deterrent posture against potential adversaries. The sustained pace of Pralay’s development and testing is a reflection of India’s intent to project power and respond swiftly to external threats, particularly in the context of heightened tensions with China. The Rocket Force, once fully operational, will play a critical role in India’s strategic calculations, giving it a powerful tool for conventional deterrence and increasing its overall warfighting capability.
By integrating private sector involvement and expanding production capacities, India aims to meet the growing demand for advanced missile systems like Pralay. As this production ramp-up continues, the country is positioning itself to maintain a high tempo of missile activities, ensuring that it can respond to regional security challenges with advanced and credible strike options.
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