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DRDO flight-tests the Pralay missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island
खबर में क्यों?
Solid-fuelled yet not purely ballistic: what Pralay's quasi-ballistic tag means for Prelims defence questions
DRDO test-fires the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile in user evaluation trials.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2007; GS-3 core; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 मिनट
DRDO successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed Pralay missile from Dr.
APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, as part of user evaluation trials.
Pralay is a solid-fuelled, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile meant for short-range tactical strikes.
User trials are the stage at which the armed forces assess a system before induction.
स्रोत: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
मुख्य तथ्य
Remember these
- Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid-fuelled, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile
- It is meant for short-range tactical strikes on land targets
- Flight-tested by DRDO from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast
- The test was part of user evaluation trials, the stage where the armed forces assess a system before induction
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island was formerly known as Wheeler Island
प्रीलिम्स · मेन्स
How the exam will ask it
प्रीलिम्स
- Pralay is a surface-to-surface missile, not a surface-to-air or air-to-air missile.
- A quasi-ballistic missile follows a flatter, manoeuvrable trajectory, unlike a purely ballistic missile.
- User evaluation trials are conducted by the armed forces before a system is inducted into service.
- DRDO, under the Ministry of Defence, develops indigenous missile systems tested from the Odisha coast.
मेन्स
GS Paper 3 (Defence and Science & Technology): India's tactical missile arsenal must match short-range threats along contested borders. Indigenous development by DRDO under Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence reduces import dependence, but delays between user trials and induction remain a concern. Way forward: faster induction, industry partnerships for production, and integration with theatre-level command structures.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements:
- In November, 2006, DRDO successfully conducted the interception test using Prithvi-II missile.
- Prithivi-II is a surface-to-surface missile and can be deployed to guard the metros against air attacks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
उत्तर देखें
उत्तर: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Pralay, flight-tested by DRDO from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, is a:
- Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile
- Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
- Long-range surface-to-air missile
- Air-to-air missile for fighter aircraft
उत्तर देखें
उत्तर: A — Correct: Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile — Pralay is a solid-fuelled quasi-ballistic missile built for short-range tactical strikes on land targets. • Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile — wrong: Anti-ship cruise missiles such as BrahMos are a different class; Pralay is not one. • Long-range surface-to-air missile — wrong: Surface-to-air missiles such as the Akash family defend against aircraft; Pralay attacks ground targets. • Air-to-air missile for fighter aircraft — wrong: Air-to-air missiles such as Astra arm fighters; Pralay is launched from the ground.
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