The newly developed short-range, tactical nuclear-capable missile ‘Pralay’ will make its public debut at the Republic Day Parade. On the cultural front, over 5,000 tribal artistes will perform at Kartavya Path.
Providing details to the media on Monday, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the theme for this year’s parade is “75 Years of the Constitution”, marking the adoption of the Constitution in 1950.
The 90-minute parade will feature 31 tableaux, including 16 from states and 15 from Central ministries. To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, some tableaux will highlight his contributions.
The parade will include 18 marching contingents, 15 bands, and a cultural troupe of 300 performers. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest, accompanied by a military marching contingent, a band and a cultural troupe from Indonesia.
“The military and martial character of the parade is being maintained, but we are incorporating wider societal and cultural participation,” the Defence Secretary said.
The display of the ‘Pralay’ missile is significant as it is currently being inducted into the armed forces, marking a milestone in India’s tactical ballistic missile capabilities. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ‘Pralay’ is a surface-to-surface missile system classified as a Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), with a range of 150 to 500 km.
Its ‘elder sisters’ like Agni-V target long distances of 5,500 km or more.
Powered by a solid propellant motor, it offers quick-launch capabilities and increased mobility. The Pralay can change course mid-flight, making it difficult to intercept with traditional missile defence systems.
Designed for precision, Pralay ensures highly accurate strikes, adding strategic flexibility to India’s military arsenal. Its induction enhances the country’s tactical options across a range of scenarios.
