News In Shorts

DRDO conducted launch of two Pralay missiles from the Odisha coast.

About Pralay Missile

• It is an indigenous, short-range, surface-to-surface quasi ballistic missile designed to carry various types of warheads and engage multiple target profiles.
• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Armed Forces.
• Range: 150 to 500 km.

Dhruv-NG (New Generation) recently completed its inaugural flight in Bengaluru.

About Dhruv-NG Helicopters

• Platform: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s ALH Dhruv is an indigenously developed, twin-engine multi-role helicopter.
• Variant: Dhruv-NG is the new-generation civilian version with modern avionics and systems.
• Roles: Designed for transport, air ambulance, disaster relief, tourism, and utility missions.

Indian Army has signed a ₹293 crore contract with private defence manufacturer NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Israel, for the supply of an advanced long-range rocket launcher system Suryastra.

About Suryastra

• It is India’s first Made in India universal multi-calibre rocket launcher, 
• Capable of executing precision surface-to-surface strikes at ranges extending up to 300 km.
• Capabilities
  • Can engage multiple targets simultaneously at varying ranges.
  • Can integrate multiple rocket types. 
  • Accuracy of less than 5 meters. 
  • Can fire loitering munitions up to 100 km.

DRDO successfully flight-tested indigenously developed third generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) against a moving target. 

About MPATGM

• It is a shoulder-launched, portable missile system, specifically designed to counter enemy tanks and armoured vehicles.
• It consists of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies like Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, etc.

DRDO displayed the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) during the 77th Republic Day parade.

About LR-AShM

• It is India’s first Long Range Hypersonic Glide Missile designed to meet the coastal battery requirements of the Indian Navy.
• Range of approximately 1,500 km; can engage static and moving targets.
• First-of-its-kind with indigenous avionics systems and high accuracy sensors. 
• Speed: Follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, achieving peak speeds of Mach 10 and maintaining an average of Mach 5 via skipping manoeuvres.
• Propulsion: Powered by a two-stage solid propulsion system; performs an unpowered glide with required manoeuvres after the second stage burns out.
• Stealth: Flies at low altitudes and high speed to evade radar detection.

India’s first ‘Made in India’ C-295 aircraft will be rolled out before September 2026.

• It is being manufactured at the Airbus–Tata Final Assembly Line in Vadodara.

About C-295 aircraft 

• It is Medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft.
• It is an efficient tactical transport aircraft having a flight endurance of up to 11 hours.
• Other key features: short take-off and landing (STOL), etc.