SOURCE: AFI

Abdul Basit, the former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, has once again stirred the pot with what many are calling an “outrageous” claim. In his latest statement, Basit asserts that Pakistan’s Nasr (Hatf 9) short-range ballistic missile, with its range of 60-70 kilometers, is “way superior” to India’s Pralay tactical missile, which boasts a range of 150km to 500km. This assertion has sparked both debate and skepticism across defense and diplomatic circles.
Nasr (Hatf 9) Developed by Pakistan’s National Development Complex, the Nasr is explicitly designed as a battlefield weapon system. Its short range is tailored for tactical nuclear deterrence, particularly in response to India’s conventional military doctrines like “Cold Start.” The missile’s primary advantage, according to Basit, lies in its suitability for quick, precise strikes in a battlefield scenario, deterring enemy armor and troop concentrations.
Pralay On the other hand, India’s Pralay, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is described as a tactical, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile. With its variable range, Pralay provides India with the flexibility to engage targets at different distances, making it a versatile asset for both tactical and strategic uses. It’s designed with features like mid-air maneuvers to evade anti-missile defenses, offering a broader strategic spectrum than the Nasr.
While Basit praises the Nasr for its battlefield effectiveness due to its shorter range, critics argue that the broader range of the Pralay allows for a more comprehensive tactical response. The ability to strike targets at distances up to 500 kilometers gives India a significant operational advantage, especially in scenarios where deeper penetration or engagement of distant targets is necessary.
The Pralay missile’s range allows for not just battlefield deterrence but also the capability to strike more strategic targets, providing India with a deterrence capability across a wider area, including against infrastructure that supports military operations.
Many in India’s defense community have dismissed Basit’s claim as lacking credibility. They highlight that while the Nasr has its tactical merits, particularly in a nuclear context, the Pralay’s range and technological features make it a more versatile and strategically potent weapon system.
The claim has been met with skepticism and humor in Indian media, with some outlets questioning Basit’s understanding of missile technology or suggesting that his remarks might be aimed at domestic political points rather than factual analysis.
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