Prahar: Short-range, Quick Reaction tactical ballistic missile tested fired

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range tactical ballistic missile ‘Prahaar’. It was launched from mobile launcher from Launch Complex-III, Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore off Odisha Coast.

Prahaar Missile

It is solid-fuelled surface-to-surface short-range tactical ballistic missile. It has been indigenously developed by DRDO. It has length of 7.3 meter, diameter of 420 mm and weighs 1,280 kg. It has operational range of 150 km and flight altitude of 35 km.
It is quick-reaction, all-weather, all-terrain, highly accurate battlefield support tactical missile with advance manoeuvring capability. It is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads weighing around 200 kg and neutralizing wide variety of targets.
It is fitted with inertial navigation system. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, guidance and electromechanical actuation systems with advanced on board computer. It can be launched from road mobile system, which can carry six missiles at time. It can also be fired in salvo mode in all directions from launcher.
Significance: Prahaar missile fills vital gap between Multi Barrel Rocket systems such as ‘Pinaka’ and medium range ballistic missiles such as Prithvi. It also fills short-range tactical battlefield missile role as required by Indian Army to take out strategic and tactical targets. It is comparable to MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System of United States.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2018