A new Short-range surface-to-surface missile called ‘Prahaar’ was successfully test-fired on July 21, 2011 for the first time from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Orissa.

The launch took place from a road mobile launcher. The missile traversed its entire range of 150 km in 250 seconds before impacting on the targeted area in the Bay of Bengal with an accuracy of few meters.

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) developed Prahaar (to strike) in two years, to specifically bridge the gap in the range between the unguided Pinaka rocket, which has a range of 45 km, and the guided Prithvi missile variants, that can take out targets 250 km to 350 km away. Prahaar carries a 200-kg conventional warhead.

Prahar can image, take out multiple targets and can be moved to any place. It can also carry conventional warheads. Prahar will be used as a road-mobile weapon similar to the Brahmas supersonic multi-role cruise missile with each motorised transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) carrying six cannisterised, vertically-launched missiles armed with conventional warheads.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

A separate wheeled vehicle is being developed to act as a missile resupply station, carrying six canister missile rounds. Prahaar is a unique missile because it has high maneuverability, very high acceleration and excellent impact accuracy. It will bridge the gap between the multi-barrel rocket system, Pink and the Prithvi missiles. Basically, it will be a battlefield support system for the Army.

Highlights of Missile

A few Prahaar missiles could do the job of many Pinaka rockets, in devastating wide areas. It is an all-weather missile that can be launched from canisters. Since it can be fired from a road mobile launcher, it can be quickly transported to different places. It can be deployed in various kinds of terrain such as snow-bound areas or jungles.

With its range of 150 km, it is comparable to the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) of the United States. Prahaar can carry different types of conventional warheads. Six Prahaar missiles can be launched in salvo mode in different directions.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The missile has a quick reaction time, that is, it can be launched within a few minutes. It has sophisticated inertial navigation, guidance and electro-mechanical actuation systems. Its onboard computer helps it to home in on the targets with an accuracy of 10 meters. Prahaar is a single stage missile, propelled by solid fuel. It is 7.3 meters tall, has a diameter of 42 cm and weighs 1.3 tonnes. The missile reaches a height of 35 km before reaching the targets 150 km away. According to DRDO, India’s interceptor missile was converted into Prahaar. That is why it has a range of 150 km.

According to DRDO Prithvi was never a quick-reaction system and its flight trajectory can be easily tracked by early warning radars as it is a single-stage missile. But ‘Prahaar’ boasts a three- element flight-control system, with the third and final stage comprising only the maneuverings warhead section.

The Prahaar is expected to replace all existing Prithvi SS-150 missiles that are now deployed by the three Missile Groups attached to the Indian Army’s two Field Artillery Divisions. Being multi-directional and auto loading in nature, Prahar will be extremely useful in emergency situations. Its launch time is estimated to be two to three minutes and no preparation is required. The missile has been under development for the past four years. It was first unveilled in 2010.

Missile’s Strategic Importance

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The Prahaar is the latest missile to be added to India’s arsenal of ballistic missiles and was developed keeping in mind the Indian Army’s ‘Cold Start’ doctrine, which envisions a rapid thrust by armored regiments into Pakistan in the event of a provocation. The Prahaar would play a key role in disrupting and destroying enemy infrastructures as well as lines of communication before Indian ground forces move in.

The missile was developed with two main factors in mind- accuracy and rapid response. Accuracy was important as it allows for the targeting of individual, tactical targets, as opposed to an artillery strike or rocket barrage which is usually directed at broader areas of impact.

The Prahaar is also designed to carry various types of sub-munitions or a unitary warhead. For example, it will be able to carry up to 400 AT/AP bomblets, scatterable mines, anti-runway munitions and similar loads, making it effective for a wide number of targets.

The Prahaar’s payload compartment is being developed by the DRDO in cooperation with Israel Aircraft Industries’ (IAI) MLM Systems Integration Division and Israel Military Industries’ (IMI) Rocket Systems Division. Prahar would fill the gap for a battlefield weapon system in the country’s missile arsenal and would replace the unguided Pinaka and Smirch rockets of 90 km range.