Daily Current Affairs : 23-July-2024

Armenia is reportedly interested in acquiring India’s Pralay missile as a strategic countermeasure against Azerbaijan’s Israeli-origin LORA missiles. This potential deal could be a significant step for India, enhancing its reputation as a missile exporter. It would also serve as a reminder of India’s growing defense industry and its increasing influence on the global arms market.

Boosting India’s Missile Export Profile

The export of the Pralay missile would follow the success of the Brahmos missile, which has already been sold to several countries. This not only strengthens India’s position as a reliable arms exporter but also demonstrates the success of its Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in developing cutting-edge military technology. The Pralay missile, in particular, stands out because of its higher percentage of indigenous content compared to Brahmos, making it a more profitable option for India.

Features of the Pralay Missile

The Pralay is a mobile, canister-based short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 150-500 km. It uses a combination of inertial guidance and DSMAC (Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator) for terminal guidance. This makes it highly accurate and difficult to intercept. Here are some of the key features of the Pralay missile:

  • Quasi-ballistic trajectory: It follows a unique flight path that is hard to predict, making it difficult for enemy defense systems to counter.
  • Terminal maneuvering capabilities: The missile can change its course in the final phase, making interception even harder.
  • Low radar signature: Designed to avoid detection, the missile’s stealth capabilities give it a tactical advantage.
  • Warhead versatility: The Pralay can carry various types of warheads, adding to its flexibility in different combat scenarios.

Important Points:

  • Armenia’s interest in the Pralay missile is driven by the need to counter Azerbaijan’s Israeli-origin LORA missiles.
  • India’s missile export profile could be significantly boosted if Armenia acquires the Pralay, following the success of Brahmos exports.
  • Pralay missile features:
  • Range: 150-500 km (short-range ballistic missile).
  • Guidance system: Combines inertial guidance and DSMAC (Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator) for terminal accuracy.
  • Quasi-ballistic trajectory: Difficult to predict and intercept due to its unique flight path.
  • Terminal maneuvering: Missile can change direction in its final phase, making it harder to intercept.
  • Low radar signature: Designed for stealth to avoid detection.
  • Warhead versatility: Capable of carrying various types of warheads for different combat scenarios.
  • Indigenous content: The Pralay missile has a higher percentage of indigenous components than Brahmos, making it a more profitable export for India.
  • Significance for India: Strengthens India’s position as a growing global missile exporter and showcases the success of its DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization).
  • Strategic advantage for Armenia: The Pralay would enhance Armenia’s defense capabilities against missile threats, particularly from Azerbaijan.
  • Global implications: If the deal goes through, it would further solidify India’s role as a major player in the global defense market.

Why In News

Armenia is interested in acquiring India’s Pralay missile as a strategic countermeasure to Azerbaijan’s Israeli-origin LORA missiles, aiming to strengthen its defense capabilities and improve its ability to deter potential threats from the region.

MCQs about Armenia’s Interest in India’s Pralay Missile

  1. What is the primary reason Armenia is interested in acquiring India’s Pralay missile?
    A. To enhance its air defense
    B. To counter Azerbaijan’s Israeli-origin LORA missiles
    C. To improve its naval capabilities
    D. To develop its own missile technology
    Correct Answer: B. To counter Azerbaijan’s Israeli-origin LORA missiles
    Explanation: Armenia seeks the Pralay missile primarily as a countermeasure to Azerbaijan’s LORA missiles, which are of Israeli origin, to strengthen its defense capabilities in the region.
  2. How does the Pralay missile differ from the Brahmos missile in terms of its content?
    A. The Pralay has a higher percentage of indigenous content compared to Brahmos.
    B. The Pralay missile has a longer range than the Brahmos missile.
    C. The Pralay missile is an air-launched system, while Brahmos is ground-launched.
    D. The Brahmos missile has better terminal maneuvering capabilities than the Pralay.
    Correct Answer: A. The Pralay has a higher percentage of indigenous content compared to Brahmos.
    Explanation: The Pralay missile has a higher percentage of indigenous components, making it more cost-effective and profitable for India compared to the Brahmos missile.
  3. Which of the following is a key feature of the Pralay missile?
    A. It uses satellite guidance for navigation.
    B. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory and has terminal maneuvering capabilities.
    C. It has a range of over 1,000 km.
    D. It is designed only for naval operations.
    Correct Answer: B. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory and has terminal maneuvering capabilities.
    Explanation: The Pralay missile features a quasi-ballistic flight path and is equipped with terminal maneuvering capabilities, making it difficult to intercept.
  4. What is one of the advantages of the Pralay missile’s low radar signature?
    A. It makes the missile more visible to enemy radar systems.
    B. It helps the missile avoid detection, providing a tactical advantage.
    C. It increases the missile’s range.
    D. It reduces the missile’s payload capacity.
    Correct Answer: B. It helps the missile avoid detection, providing a tactical advantage.
    Explanation: The low radar signature of the Pralay missile is designed to reduce its detectability, giving it a significant tactical advantage against enemy defense systems.

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