India has given a clear message by successfully testing the 'Pralay' missile twice in a row from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island on 28 and 29 July. This missile is based on semi-ballistic technology and has a strike range of 150 to 500 kilometers. It is powered by solid fuel propulsion, which makes both its mobility and accuracy very special.
A special feature of the 'Pralay' missile is that it is capable of carrying different types of conventional warheads and can be fired from a high mobility launch platform. This feature enables it to attack by avoiding the enemy's air defense system. This missile is going to be a part of India's proposed Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), which will significantly increase the country's tri-army capabilities.
Pakistan's response tension or strategic response?
Pakistani media and security agencies have considered this test by india as a sign of arms race in South Asia. According to a Geo news report, the Pakistani army believes that this action by india is opening the 'path to war'. This report also states that pakistan has Hatf-IX missile (Nasr) to respond to this, which is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads. The range of the Nasr missile is 60 to 70 kilometers. On the other hand, India's Pralay missile is launched with conventional bombs, whose warhead capacity is up to 500 kilograms. In comparison, Pakistan's Hatf-IX has a capacity of up to 400 kilograms with a nuclear warhead.
Pakistani media and security agencies have considered this test by india as a sign of arms race in South Asia. According to a Geo news report, the Pakistani army believes that this action by india is opening the 'path to war'. This report also states that pakistan has Hatf-IX missile (Nasr) to respond to this, which is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads. The range of the Nasr missile is 60 to 70 kilometers. On the other hand, India's Pralay missile is launched with conventional bombs, whose warhead capacity is up to 500 kilograms. In comparison, Pakistan's Hatf-IX has a capacity of up to 400 kilograms with a nuclear warhead.
Pralay vs Nasr
Features Pralay (India) Hatf-IX (Pakistan)
Type Quasi-Ballistic Missile / Tactical Nuclear Missile
Range - 150-500 km/60-70 km
Warhead Capacity - 500 kg (Conventional)/400 kg (Nuclear)
Launch Platform - High Mobility Truck/Mobile Platform
Cost - $4-6 million/$1-2 million
Features Pralay (India) Hatf-IX (Pakistan)
Type Quasi-Ballistic Missile / Tactical Nuclear Missile
Range - 150-500 km/60-70 km
Warhead Capacity - 500 kg (Conventional)/400 kg (Nuclear)
Launch Platform - High Mobility Truck/Mobile Platform
Cost - $4-6 million/$1-2 million
Impact on Strategic Balance in South Asia
This missile test of india has affected not only pakistan but the entire regional geopolitical scenario. Experts believe that this test is a big step in India's defense strategy which gives it a strategic edge in the scenario of limited wars. On the other hand, pakistan is considering this test as a sign of instability and is accusing it of intensifying the arms race, but india claims that the Pralay missile has been designed solely for the purpose of increasing defensive capability.
This missile test of india has affected not only pakistan but the entire regional geopolitical scenario. Experts believe that this test is a big step in India's defense strategy which gives it a strategic edge in the scenario of limited wars. On the other hand, pakistan is considering this test as a sign of instability and is accusing it of intensifying the arms race, but india claims that the Pralay missile has been designed solely for the purpose of increasing defensive capability.
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