Pralay and Shaurya: Conventional Strike Surface-to-Surface Missiles

[Speedster1]

Drdo scientist giving the salute it means system has not been formally inducted by armed forces.

Should happen sooner than later. We need a nuke-capable, responsive replacement for the (liquid-fuelled) Prithvi-1 and 2. Neither Iskander nor LORA fit the bill (in terms of throw-weight)

However, if the IRF ultimately inducts the Pralay, then that mantle will probably pass to the Agni-P. But isn't Agni-P supposed to have a conventional role too?

Wonder how they plan to differentiate between nuke and conventional vectors?

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883423953680843141

 

[Ashwin]

Should happen sooner than later. We need a nuke-capable, responsive replacement for the (liquid-fuelled) Prithvi-1 and 2. Neither Iskander nor LORA fit the bill (in terms of throw-weight)

However, if the IRF ultimately inducts the Pralay, then that mantle will probably pass to the Agni-P. But isn't Agni-P supposed to have a conventional role too?

Wonder how they plan to differentiate between nuke and conventional vectors?

Nuclear capable replacement for Prithvi series is newer versions of Agni not Pralay. A nuclear missile does not need a seeker because that level of accuracy is not desired.

Civilized nations prefer to differentiate between nuclear and conventional missiles because it reduces ambiguity during strikes. (Our western neighbour is not one of them.)

So, for the time being, Pralay, Brahmos, Nirbhay (LRLACM), and LRASM derivatives will all be conventional missiles only. Hopefully, under a new command structure such as a rocket or missile force. Nuclear only Agni missiles will be under Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

 

[randomradio]

Should happen sooner than later. We need a nuke-capable, responsive replacement for the (liquid-fuelled) Prithvi-1 and 2. Neither Iskander nor LORA fit the bill (in terms of throw-weight)

However, if the IRF ultimately inducts the Pralay, then that mantle will probably pass to the Agni-P. But isn't Agni-P supposed to have a conventional role too?

Wonder how they plan to differentiate between nuke and conventional vectors?

Our nukes are for deterrence and annihilation, not for tactical use. So only dedicated strategic missiles will carry nukes. And for now, those are Agni series and Shaurya.

All other missiles are conventional only. SFC Prithvis are a product of the era, no longer the standard today.

With that said, conventional missiles can be equiped with nukes, but that's something for a post-nuclear environment, when there are more nukes than available delivery vehicles. Even artillery guns and SAMs can carry tactical nukes at that point.

 

[randomradio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883423953680843141

Just their dumb luck, but MTCR prevents them from attacking Baku with Pralay.

 

[randomradio]

Iskander is a hypersonic missile with twin vertebral warheads. The Indian missile, more like a large rocket, is similar to Iran's early products

What crap. Iskander is a single-stage missile with no seeker and CEP of 10 m. Pralay is a two-stage missile with a third MARV stage and comes with an MMW seeker and a CEP of 1 m. They are not even in the same generation.

Pralay's been designed like a HTK interceptor. It has no foreign analogue.

 

[randomradio]

Apparently, Turkey is also working on a ballistic missile with a diameter of around ~600 mm called Tayfun/Bora.

It's not Turkish, it's a Chinese B-611 that they are license producing.

Everyone is working on similar class of missile. CTM290 of South Korea, LORA of Israel, ATACMS, Chinese got multiple, KN-25 of North Korea.

When will we start working on one?

We do. There are two of them, Rudram II and III. We just put ours on aircraft. Let's see if the IA asks for their own version of RudraM III once it's developed, although they have settled for the LORA license production for now.

 

[marich01]

Should happen sooner than later. We need a nuke-capable, responsive replacement for the (liquid-fuelled) Prithvi-1 and 2. Neither Iskander nor LORA fit the bill (in terms of throw-weight)

However, if the IRF ultimately inducts the Pralay, then that mantle will probably pass to the Agni-P. But isn't Agni-P supposed to have a conventional role too?

Wonder how they plan to differentiate between nuke and conventional vectors?

There was a convo program with the gunnershot Gen on the Republic day eve that sort of discussed this issue. Globally the use of BM in a conventional role, esp up to a certain theater of war range ~ 500km is still frowned upon a bit both from the forces and the think tank discussion perspective. This is actually correct, that the armed forces can and should be skeptical of use of such high payload weapons that cause major damages. Hence in our case, we also take it as a grave use case ie sort of desperate option, something that must/could be avoided during a conventional war. But if the adversary is willing to use TBM in conventional role, then you should also make provision of the same. Hence the recent thrust on the rocket force idea, they explicitly have opportunity for long range systems now.

We already have a decent pack of Prithvi 2 refurbed stock available. These are solid fueled first stages, hence decent punch350km+ with full payload and 750km with the lower 250-300kg class warhead. You also got SFC always on standby, a decent no of Nirbhay, Brahmos, Rus options are available with the forces. At the end of day, if you are willing to use your BM stages in conventional use options, you can always do that at short notice. That is what happening now with Pralay and the upcoming LR series where you use available and proven BM stages to fashion new gen weapon systems that are capable of delivering high payload. It is likely these will have less sophistication than the nook ones, as conventional use should not compromise on certain aspects.

 

[Ashwin]

It's not Turkish, it's a Chinese B-611 that they are license producing.

That was two decade back. This is their own development based on that design.

J-600T Yıldırım - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

We do. There are two of them, Rudram II and III.

Rudram 3 can be, but it is a long way off. Thus LORA.

 

[randomradio]

That was two decade back. This is their own development based on that design.

J-600T Yıldırım - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Just modernizations of an existing missile. Mk1A, Mk1B etc. Perhaps even an Mk2. Just saying it's not an original design.

Rudram 3 can be, but it is a long way off. Thus LORA.

Yeah, if LORA's license production was approved by DRDO, it would mean there's no immediate plan to develop an indigenous version yet.

I guess we are gonna settle with Pinaka, LORA, and Pralay for the next 10 years.