© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your UPSC Current Affairs knowledge nugget for today on Pralay and Akash Prime missiles.
(Relevance: Various missiles, air defence systems, fighter jets, and aircraft types are some of the important topics of defence technology that have been asked by UPSC in prelims. In 2018, a question was asked on Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD). In this context, understanding the unique weapons becomes crucial.)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful tests of quasi-ballistic missile Pralay from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha on 28th and 29th July. Three Pune based facilities of the DRDO have played a key role in the development of the tactical weapons system.
1. The flight tests were carried out as a part of user evaluation trials to validate the maximum and minimum range capability of the missile system.
2. “Pralay is an indigenously-developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.” said the Ministry of Defence.
3. The first test of Pralay (which means widespread destruction) was conducted in December 2021. The missile is slated to be armed with a conventional warhead and will be inducted into the artillery of the Indian Army.
4. The system has been developed by Hyderabad-based DRDO facility Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other facilities including three Pune based firms—Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Research & Development Establishment, Engineers (R&DE).
5. The ballistic missiles are a category of missiles that utilise projectile motion to deliver warheads. During their arched trajectories, the ballistic missiles are powered during their initial travel but later take a gravity driven path.
6. The quasi ballistic missiles are a class of missiles that have low trajectory and take the ballistic trajectory but can change course and make maneuvers during the flight if required.
1. The Akash Prime missile, which is the upgraded variant of the Akash weapon for the high-altitude region, was successfully tested in Ladakh on 16th July as destroying aerial high-speed unmanned targets with pinpoint accuracy.
2. The trials were done as part of the first Production Model firing trial and will further enable timely induction and enhance the Air Defence potential in high-altitude frontiers of the country, the Ministry of Defence said.
3. The initial version of the Akash missile has an operational range of 27 to 30 kilometers and a flight altitude of around 18 kilometers. The Akash Prime, which underwent its maiden flight test in September 2021 has the same range as that of the earlier version but has a crucial new addition of an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy to hit the aerial targets.
4. Other key enhancements in Akash Prime ensure more reliable performance under low-temperature environments at higher altitudes. These new additions have been made after receiving feedback from armed forces, for the deployment of the system to provide air defence cover for vital installations and sensitive areas in high-altitude regions. The weapon system is customised to operate in altitudes above 4,500 metres, the MoD has said.
5. Notably, the development of the Akash, a short to medium range surface to air missile, was started by the DRDO in the late 1980s as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The early systems trials, field trials and target neutralisation trials were conducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These were followed by the extensive user trials by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
6. Named after the original Sanskrit work for sky, Akash symbolised the deterrence in the air. It is primarily designed to provide air defence cover to the vulnerable areas and critical installations.
7. The Akash weapon system can simultaneously engage multiple targets in group mode or in autonomous mode. It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features, which means that it has mechanisms on-board that can counter the electronic systems that deceive the detection systems.
1. Ballistic missiles use projectile motion to deliver warheads to a target. They are powered for a relatively brief time, after which they let the laws of physics take them to their target. These missiles are categorised based on range. Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads. Examples of ballistic missiles are Agni I, Agni II, Prithvi I, Prithvi II and Dhanush missiles.
| Ballistic Missiles by Range | |
| Name | Range |
| Tactical ballistic missile (TBM) | <300 km |
| Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) | 300-1,000 km |
| Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) | 1,000-3,500 km |
| Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) | 3,500-5,500 km |
| Intercontinental ballistic missile | Over 5,500 km |
Source: UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (Note: This categorisation is not fixed.)
2. Cruise missiles are unmanned vehicles powered by jet engines that can be launched from ground, air, or sea platforms. Examples of cruise missiles are BrahMos,Tomahawk,Kalibr, AGM-86 ALCM and JASSM.
3. The cruise missiles fly at a low distance from the ground while the ballistic missiles follow a parabolic trajectory. Ballistic missiles are easier to track since they have a standard parabolic trajectory, as compared to cruise missiles which can fox air defence systems due to their manoeuvrability.
(1) With reference to the Pralay missile, consider the following statements:
1. It is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile.
2. This missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.
3. The first test of Pralay was conducted in 2024.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(2) Consider the following statements about the Akash Prime missile:
1. It ensures more reliable performance under low-temperature environments at higher altitudes.
2. Akash missile is a short to medium-range surface-to-air missile.
3. It has an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy to hit the aerial targets.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
| Answer Key |
| 1. (b) 2. (c) |
(Sources: DRDO successfully tests quasi-ballistic tactical missile Pralay as part of user evaluation trials, Akash Prime missile with indigenous seeker successfully tested at high altitude in Ladakh )
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
