Prahaar Missile

Full Specifications

Prahaar Missile: India’s Precision Tactical Ballistic Weapon

The Prahaar missile represents a key advancement in India’s indigenous defense capabilities, designed as a quick-reaction, all-weather tactical ballistic missile for the modern battlefield. Meaning “strike” in Hindi, Prahaar fills a critical capability gap between multi-barrel rocket systems like Pinaka and longer-range options such as the Prithvi series. Developed to provide highly accurate, rapid-response firepower against time-sensitive targets, it emphasizes mobility, precision, and operational flexibility in diverse terrains.

Manufacturer

The Prahaar was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). It is a fully indigenous system aimed at enhancing self-reliance in tactical missile technology while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Speed and Range

Prahaar achieves a maximum speed of Mach 4 and has an operational range of approximately 150 km. It follows a high-arcing trajectory with a maximum altitude of around 35 km, enabling it to engage targets effectively while minimizing reaction time for adversaries. Its solid-fuel rocket motor allows launch readiness within 2-3 minutes from mobile platforms.

Cost/Price

Specific unit costs for the Prahaar are not publicly disclosed due to its strategic nature. However, as an indigenous system developed rapidly by DRDO in under two years, it is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to imported tactical missiles, offering significant savings in lifecycle and maintenance compared to similar foreign systems.

The missile’s road-mobile design, canisterized launch capability, and ability to carry a 250 kg conventional warhead (high explosive or cluster munitions) make it ideal for neutralizing enemy concentrations, command centers, artillery positions, and other tactical assets. It uses a combination of inertial navigation with GNSS support for mid-course guidance and active radar homing for terminal accuracy, achieving a circular error probable (CEP) of about 10 meters. Each transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle, often based on Tatra or Tata chassis, can carry up to six missiles, supporting salvo fire across a wide azimuth.

Primarily intended for conventional roles within the Indian Army, Prahaar enhances rapid deployment and counters regional threats without nuclear escalation considerations in its baseline configuration. Successful tests in 2011 and 2018 validated its performance, paving the way for integration into India’s layered defense strategy.