Indian DRDO displays new Pragati tactical missile at ADEX 2013

The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is displaying its newly developed Pragati tactical surface-to-surface missile at the ongoing 2013 Seoul International Aerospace & Defence (ADEX) exhibition in South Korea.

An unnamed DRDO official was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying that the missile can be termed as an export variant of the Prahaar tactical ballistic missile with minor differences.

The Indian government has approved the export of the missile to the interested friendly countries, the official added.

Capable of deploying in either stand-alone or centralised modes, the Pragati is an accurate short-range, tactical missile designed to neutralise identified ground targets and provide an effective counter-force weapon system at a range of between 60km and 170km, Indo Asian News Service reports.

Launched from a mobile launcher system (MLS) in ripple firing mode of less than five seconds, the solid-fuelled, single-stage missile can carry various conventional warheads weighing up to 200kg, and avoids detection by any weapon locating radar system.

DRDO expects the missile to help the Indian military bridge the gap between the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system and Prithvi surface-to-surface/nuclear capable missile family.

The Prahaar missile is currently operational with the Indian Army and Air Force.

Besides Pragati, DRDO is also exhibiting the Akash air defence system, Tejas light combat aircraft and its variants, Abhyas expandable high speed aerial target, airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C), as well as advanced radars, sonar and communication systems at the exhibition, which is scheduled to conclude on 3 November 2013.

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 Image: Pragati is considered as an export variant of DRDO's Prahaar tactical ballistic missile. Photo: courtesy of Somatrix.