Hemant Kumar Rout By

BALASORE: After Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos cruise missile, which has drawn the attention of a number of countries for its kill precisions, India is now readying its home-grown new tactical short range surface-to-surface missile Pragati for export purpose.

Defence sources said having a strike range of 50 km to 150 km, the missile has quick reaction from command to launch in ripple firing mode. The missile is small, lean and slim to achieve better and high manoeuvring capability in mid-air which the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) expects would enhance interest among importing countries.

Earlier, apart from BrahMos missile, the DRDO had announced that the surface-to-air short range missile Akash can be exported. Now, the DRDO is getting ready to export Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Prahar class of missiles and a number of other systems.

A defence official said Pragati, a variant of Prahar missile, was first displayed at a defence exhibition in South Korea in October last year. “Many friendly foreign countries inquired about it and envisaged interests. The Government has approved to export the missile which is best among its class worldwide,” he said.

However, the Pragati missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battlefield support tactical system. Capable of carrying different types of warheads, the missile will operate as battlefield support system.

The missile is equipped with state of the art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer. With high accuracy, Pragati is comparable to ATACMS missile of the US.

The missile is launched from a road mobile system, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane. The system, which is capable of carrying conventional warhead of 200 kgs, has all weather, all time operational launch capability.

Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and DRDO chief Avinash Chander said in order to fully exploit and harness the potential and make it economically viable, it is essential to create a credible export market for Indian defence products.manoeuvring