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Securing India's vast borders and asserting its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region requires a well-equipped and modernized defence force.
![](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/04/image-18.png)
This year's UPSC Prelims is likely to focus on recent developments in defence acquisitions that reflect India's evolving security priorities.
This article highlights a few key defence items that were procured and have been in the news. It is crucial for aspirants appearing in the 2024 UPSC prelims.
Pralay Missile
![Pralay missile | UPSC | Prelims | Defence](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-96575807,width-600,resizemode-4/96575807.jpg)
![Tactical Quasi-Ballistic Missile Pralay | Pralay missile | UPSC | Prelims | Defence](https://swarajya.gumlet.io/swarajya/2021-12/0fa74766-0b73-402c-b5f8-8517f8ebdc1e/pralay.jpg)
![](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/04/lRNe-sW-PQ3xlpcdOhIqB7OdXAFmYs7DK-s3lLTN72P4KC98RqAmCptqn8g3o0cafDIXYNZiCCoJE7GJS1oDXcEotJ1LbFsT1yIFqjo_hARIPBXdr1NhIwFLL0FCSqcA0PkMe-brI5ldDjEyn_1MXH0.png)
WHY IMPORTANT?
150-500 km Short-Range Surface-to-surface Missile by DRDO.
- Pralay is a canister-based tactical, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile.
- It is a part of the Prahaar missile program.
- With an ability of striking 150 to 500 kilometers far, Pralay is the longest-range surface-to-surface missile with the Indian Armylongest-range surface-to-surface missile, capable of striking 150 to 500 kilometers far.
- It is a quasi-ballistic trajectory based solid propellant rocket-powered missile.
TAPAS BH 201
![](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/04/image-17.png)
WHY IMPORTANT?
Previously known as Rustom-II, it is an indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
- It can operate at altitudes of up to 28,000 feet with endurance of over 18 hours.
- The maximum speed is 225 kmph and maximum payload it can carry is 350 kgs.
- It is capable of fulfilling the army's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements.
Spike NLOS
![Greece acquires Spike anti-tank missiles for 370 million Euro](https://frontierindia.com/briefs/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Spike-anti-tank-missile.webp)
![Spike NLOS: Decoding IAF interest in Israeli tank-killing missile - The Week](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2022/4/24/spike-nlos-apache.jpeg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
The 6th Generation lightweight, fire-and-forget tactical precision-guided Spike Non Line of Sight (NLOS) Anti-tank Guided Missile from Israel will be integrated with Russian Mi-17V5 helicopters.
- It is a fire-and-forget anti-tank missile with a high-explosive warhead.
- Its variants include man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched and can hit targets from distances of up to 30 km.
- Reliance on electro-optical seeker for clear vision of targets makes it effective unlike traditional missiles reliant on radar or infrared guidance.
MQ 9B Reaper
![The India-U.S. deal for 31 MQ-9B drones | UPSC](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/xjv8mm/article67008173.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/MQ9B%20Drones.jpg)
![MQ 9B Reaper | UPSC](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-105533790,width-1200,height-1200,resizemode-4,imgsize-14802/mq-9b-predator.jpg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It can fly over the horizon for real-time situational awareness and has maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
- MQ 9B has two variants, the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian.
- The drone can operate at over 40,000 feet giving advantage in the high-altitude Himalayan border areas.
- These drones have advanced features like automatic take-off and landing, anti-spoofing GPS and encrypted communication links.
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Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter
![DHRUV](https://service.hal-india.co.in/Common/Uploads/HomeTemplate/35_PPara_2.jpg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It is for both civil and military roles developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
- The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
- It was exported to countries like Bolivia, Myanmar, Israel, Maldives, and Nepal.
- Dhruv Mk-IV is also called ALH Rudra and can carry air-to-air missiles.
- Radar and missile detectors, infrared jammers and chaff and flare dispensers are some of its countermeasures.
Light Combat Helicopter Prachand
![Light Combat Helicopter (LCH): Prachanda](https://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1665037380_Prachanda_Drishti_IAS_English.png)
![Explained: The Indian-made LCH 'Prachand' and its significance - The Hindu](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/news/national/bd43y/article65966417.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Features.png)
![5.8-tonne-twin-engine-(2)](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-94611457,width-600,resizemode-4/94611457.jpg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It is a multi-role combat helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
- It is India’s first indigenous multi-role combat helicopter specializing in deserts and mountain operations.
- It can fly at a maximum speed of 288 kmph with activities like Combat Search and Rescue, operations against Remotely Piloted Aircraft and high-altitude bunker busting operations.
- It will be equipped with Helina missiles, the air force version of which is called Dhruvastra.
- The helicopter is equipped with new-generation Shakti engine and is the only helicopter with capability to operate at altitudes above 6,000 meters while carrying a substantial payload.
INS Imphal
![Hindustan Times on X: "#INSImphal to boost #India's 'principle in Indo-Pacific region' 🛳️ INS Imphal, built under a ₹35,000-crore project for four modern stealth destroyers, comes with a raft of historic firsts. Know key facts about stealth-guided missile destroyer 🔗 https://t.co/G1w8f848Tc https://t.co/WGfgEl6nvx" / X](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCUvodubAAAaHQV.jpg:large)
![INS Imphal (D68) - Wikipedia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/INS_Imphal.jpg/1200px-INS_Imphal.jpg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It is the third of four indigenous Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers under Project 15-Bravo.
- INS Imphal or the Pennant D68 is the third ship of the Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers.
- The ship is equipped to fight Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare.
- Armaments include Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos surface-to-surface cruise missiles, torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers.
After the success of Kolkata class (Project 15A), the 15B (Visakhapatnam Class) has four warships: Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat.
Neerakshi
![DRDO chief lauds PSU's launch of autonomous vessel | Neerakshi | UPSC](https://images.indianexpress.com/2023/07/DRDO.jpg?w=414)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It is the first of its kind Autonomous Underwater Vehicle by India for mine detection.
- Neerakshi means “Eyes in the Water”.
- Its functions include mine detection, mine disposal and underwater survey.
- With an endurance of around 4 hours, it is capable of operating up to a depth of 300m.
Varunastra
![Varunastra - INSIGHTSIAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation](https://www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Varunastra.jpg)
![VARUNASTRA OR HEAVY WEIGHT TORPEDO | BHARAT DYNAMICS LIMITED INDIA](https://bdl-india.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/VARUNASTRA.png)
WHY IMPORTANT?
It is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo.
- It is an electrically-propelled anti-submarine torpedo capable of targeting stealth submarines in deep and shallow waters.
- The torpedo’s guidance system uses active-passive acoustics, wire guidance and GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.
- The conformal array transducers installed in it allows for a wide angle view than other torpedoes.
- It can be fired from all Anti-submarine warfare ships.
Project Sanjay
![Project Sanjay | UPSC](https://www.financialexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/indian-army-1.jpg)
![Project Sanjay | UPSC](https://www.indiandefencereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Battle-Management-System-Indian-Army.jpg)
WHY IMPORTANT?
The Indian army under ‘Project Sanjay’ is working on creating multiple battlefield surveillance centres.
- The aim is to have a future-ready, technology-driven, lethal and agile force.
- It is the ability to obtain real or near-real time all time pictures of battle areas.
- It is multi-pronged and includes human intelligence, technology-related imagery intelligence and communication intelligence.
- It helps detect changes for pre-emptive action.