The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new tactical short-range missile which has greater accuracy than the unguided missiles currently being used by the Indian Army.
Called Prahar, the missile has a range of 150 km. Six missiles can be loaded on to a single launcher, making it more cost-effective than others, said V.K. Saraswat, defence department secretary and DRDO director-general.
The Prahar system can tackle multiple targets and allows a mix of different kinds of missiles to be used from a single launcher. The missile will be tested for the first time at the end July, Mr Saraswat said.
Prahar will fill the gap between the Pinaka and the Russian-made Smerch, and the larger missiles.
The Pinaka, also produced by the DRDO, is a multiple-rocket launcher system. The missile has a maximum range of 40 km, and the system, mounted on a truck, can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Smerch has a range of 90 km.
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. Also, the technology being used on the Prahar is indigenously available and under manufacture in India. This helps in making Prahar cost effective, said Mr Saraswat.
The Prahar will come on a platform with excellent mobility, Mr Saraswat said. The DRDO is in talks with the Indian Army for the introduction for the missile. He said the Prahas has potential for use by the Indian Air Force as well.