DRDO Confronts Weight, Size, and Stability Constraints for Pralay Missile's Air-Launched Version, Flight Tests Planned by 2028-29

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is undertaking a significant technological challenge by adapting its Pralay surface-to-surface ballistic missile to be launched from an aircraft.

This ambitious project aims to integrate the five-ton, nine-meter-long missile with fighter jets like the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKI, a move intended to greatly enhance the nation's tactical strike capabilities.

If successful, India would join an exclusive group of nations with the ability to deploy air-launched ballistic missiles, a far more complex task than integrating air-launched cruise missiles like the BrahMos.

The Pralay is a solid-fuel, quasi-ballistic missile, meaning it can change its trajectory mid-flight to evade enemy defence systems, making it extremely difficult to intercept.

It is designed for high-speed, precision strikes on key targets between 150 and 400 kilometres away and can carry a payload of 500 to 1,000 kg.

By developing an air-launched version, the DRDO seeks to provide the armed forces with a more flexible and unpredictable weapon that can be deployed from various locations with greater range and surprise.

However, adapting the Pralay for air launch presents substantial engineering obstacles, primarily due to its size and weight. At approximately five tons, the missile is twice as heavy as the 2.5-ton BrahMos-A, the heaviest missile currently integrated with the Su-30 MKI.

This weight difference requires a significant reduction in the Pralay's mass, likely through the use of advanced lightweight composite materials and a redesign of its internal systems.

Furthermore, its length of over nine meters poses integration challenges, potentially affecting the aircraft's aerodynamics and requiring modifications to the missile's body to ensure it fits safely on the jet's hardpoints.

Beyond the physical dimensions, ensuring a safe and stable launch is a critical hurdle. Unlike a cruise missile that uses its engine and wings immediately after release, a ballistic missile like Pralay enters a brief free-fall before its powerful rocket motor ignites.

The DRDO must engineer a flawless separation sequence to prevent the missile from tumbling or damaging the aircraft. This involves precisely managing the missile's centre of gravity and developing advanced control systems to stabilize it during its transition to hypersonic flight, which reaches speeds over Mach 5.

To accommodate such a formidable weapon, the Su-30 MKI aircraft itself will require extensive modifications. The jet's airframe, particularly the weapon mounting points, will need to be structurally reinforced to handle the heavier load.

The aircraft's software and avionics systems must also be upgraded to communicate with the Pralay, ensuring the pilot can launch it effectively. These changes must be carefully balanced to minimize any negative impact on the aircraft's own range and maneuverability during missions.

The development of an Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM) is a capability very few countries have mastered.

Russia's Kinzhal system is one of the few operational examples, while a similar American program, the AGM-183 ARRW, was reportedly cancelled after mixed test results. India's pursuit of this technology highlights its strategic ambitions.

The DRDO has indicated that crucial flight tests, including drop trials and mid-air engine ignition, are planned between 2028 and 2029. The success of these trials will determine the future of this powerful addition to India's defence arsenal.

 

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[sanket]

It will be costly. To reduce the weight, it needs lightweight materials which will add to the production cost. Brahmos-2K, which is going to be developed with Russia with hypersonic speed, would be ideal rather than going with a Pralay variant.

 

[Mc Addy]

We are good now , so go ahead.

 

[Kira]

It's not practical enough due to its sheer weight and size, and the need for reducing it would entail significant expenses and other complications.

Plus, the aircraft itself, a.k.a. the MKI, would need notable modifications, which would reduce its dogfighting capability, as seen with the BrahMos.

Doing all of the above would lead to significant expenses, at which point, launching multiple cruise missiles or long-range guided bombs from multiple jets may make more sense in the end.

P.S. Since any ballistic missiles are very fast and large, they are subsequently less accurate compared to smaller and slower cruise or guided bombs, so they may not be as suitable for accurately bombing targets like military installations, etc.

They can be used for the bombing of an area, but then it becomes very costly very quickly.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

The IAF needs bombers to deliver such a massive payload. A bomber has its own utility: more payloads, huge range. The IAF should buy 8-10 Tu-160 bombers from Russia, then start developing an indigenous bomber fleet from the GHATAK platform.

 

[Gopi Reddy]

There should be the least number of missile types, which are mass producible and can be deployed from all types of air force fighters. We have Brahmos-A, so why do we need a Pralay air version? Even Brahmos can only be fired from 40 modified Su-30MKI. Pilot projects don't give you a capability. Instead, the air force should focus on Brahmos-NG and other affordable mass missiles, maybe the Pinaka series or Rudram series.

 

[Gopi Reddy]

From an army perspective, this missile is very complex and capable, but it is expensive, heavy, and less mobile. In the future, we are not seeing this missile in large numbers due to its high cost. Instead, the army or even the air force should have a joint missile similar to LORA, a 1.5-ton and 500-km class missile. A missile should be simple and lighter for a TEL and aircraft, and it should be affordable and mass-producible.

 

[Aloha]

There should be the least number of missile types, which are mass producible and can be deployed from all types of air force fighters. We have Brahmos-A, so why do we need a Pralay air version? Even Brahmos can only be fired from 40 modified Su-30MKI. Pilot projects don't give you a capability. Instead, the air force should focus on Brahmos-NG and other affordable mass missiles, maybe the Pinaka series or Rudram series.

BrahMos is expensive. We can't use expensive weapons against all types of targets. We need cost-effective measures and a huge arsenal of weapons which can be used as per the target's value.

 

[Warfighter]

It will certainly be costly. Additionally, we already have world-class land-based ballistic missiles with very high accuracy. We should focus on ALCMs and drone warfare. Now, this idea I am having may be kind of stupid, but I think we should develop an orbital laser system, like I remember there was a covert project Kali 10000 that was much like it. I wonder if we have launched it yet or not, but if we haven't, we should do it immediately.

 

[INDIAN]

India must acquire or develop some heavy bombers. Using the Sukhoi as a heavy bomber has its limitations. India must develop an AMCA-2 to serve in the heavy bomber role.

 

[Tera Box]

Instead of weight reduction exercises, they should start on a new missile altogether, based on Pinaka and with inspiration from Pralay.

 

[Saurabh Jindal]

It's not practical enough due to its sheer weight and size, and the need for reducing it would entail significant expenses and other complications.

Plus, the aircraft itself, a.k.a. the MKI, would need notable modifications, which would reduce its dogfighting capability, as seen with the BrahMos.

Doing all of the above would lead to significant expenses, at which point, launching multiple cruise missiles or long-range guided bombs from multiple jets may make more sense in the end.

P.S. Since any ballistic missiles are very fast and large, they are subsequently less accurate compared to smaller and slower cruise or guided bombs, so they may not be as suitable for accurately bombing targets like military installations, etc.

They can be used for the bombing of an area, but then it becomes very costly very quickly.

Decision to go ahead will be taken according to cost-benefit analysis.
So, let them decide.
Regarding dogfights, a Pralay-loaded MKI will be used for stand-off missions. Already, dogfight days are gone. Now, the J-10 is working equally as well as the Rafael. The only capability required is to be able to launch munitions. Detection and guidance work is handled by other platforms.

 

[Beast Incarnate]

It will be costly. To reduce the weight, it needs lightweight materials which will add to the production cost. Brahmos-2K, which is going to be developed with Russia with hypersonic speed, would be ideal rather than going with a Pralay variant.

Agni Mk-II is light because of composite material which was tested in 2024. One BrahMos-2 costs 10 million dollars and an air-launched Pralay costs around 1.5-2 million dollars, but we must develop a Nirbhay-based air-launched cruise missile.

 

[R. Singh]

Buy 60+ Super Su-34 for bomber role and 12+ TU-160M to carry Pralay missile !

 

[Kira]

Decision to go ahead will be taken according to cost-benefit analysis.
So, let them decide.
Regarding dogfights, a Pralay-loaded MKI will be used for stand-off missions. Already, dogfight days are gone. Now, the J-10 is working equally as well as the Rafael. The only capability required is to be able to launch munitions. Detection and guidance work is handled by other platforms.

Dogfighting may be rare today, but due to the presence of BVR missiles, much of the time, fighter jets would need to consistently dodge enemy missiles, so you will need good agility and speed.

If you modify a jet's airframe and thus add weight and change its dimensions, then it will negatively affect flight characteristics essential in fighter jet engagements.

Remember that the MKI both during Balakot and Sindoor had to dodge multiple BVR missile volleys, so you will need nimble fighter jets in the end.

My point is to avoid any permanent modifications that render a fighter ineffective for its main purpose.

It was OK for the MKI due to the size of the fleet, but in the future, smaller munitions need to be developed.

 

[Bhishma]

It's not practical enough due to its sheer weight and size, and the need for reducing it would entail significant expenses and other complications.

Plus, the aircraft itself, a.k.a. the MKI, would need notable modifications, which would reduce its dogfighting capability, as seen with the BrahMos.

Doing all of the above would lead to significant expenses, at which point, launching multiple cruise missiles or long-range guided bombs from multiple jets may make more sense in the end.

P.S. Since any ballistic missiles are very fast and large, they are subsequently less accurate compared to smaller and slower cruise or guided bombs, so they may not be as suitable for accurately bombing targets like military installations, etc.

They can be used for the bombing of an area, but then it becomes very costly very quickly.

Only the weight is the problem. Pralay is 2x the weight of BrahMos-A. Dimension is not a problem. Going by the track record, we should be able to achieve it. Note that since it's airborne already, we can cut down on the fuel.

Why are you so worried about expenses? Only Paki beggars keep thinking money, money, money. What matters is the capability. Pralay offers hypersonic speeds, and it will be used for selective high-value targets. For the low-valued targets, for example destroying Abdul's dining hall, we will be using a low-cost option.

 

[Sandeep]

Obviously we can’t use the current Pralay’s missile at its current size. It’s far too heavy, long and large. What we need to do is develop a smaller and lighter size which also gives us a long range so that our jets can carry more missiles.