DRDO successfully tests indigenous Pralay missile off Odisha coast
The surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic weapon hit all mission targets, clearing the path for military deployment.
India took a decisive step towards strengthening its conventional battlefield strike capabilities on Thursday, successfully test-firing the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile off the coast of Odisha.
The missile lifted off at 11:10 am from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island as part of comprehensive user evaluation trials. Range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur tracked the flight path from launch to impact, confirming that the weapon met all operational parameters. Defence officials confirmed that the successful trial makes the system's induction into the armed forces imminent.
Developed principally by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad alongside other Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories, Pralay has been manufactured by defence public sector undertaking Bharat Dynamics Limited. Senior military officers, defence scientists, and industry representatives witnessed the evaluation test on site.
What gives Pralay its edge
Pralay is a canisterised, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface missile built to give ground commanders a rapid, precise strike option without breaching strategic thresholds. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable parabolic arc, Pralay follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory. It can manoeuvre dynamically during flight, a feature engineered deliberately to defeat modern air defence interceptors.
The weapon system is mounted on a mobile launcher, giving operational units the flexibility to disperse, reposition quickly, and launch from varied terrain along sensitive border sectors.
| Configuration | Payload Weight | Strike Range | Propulsion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy warhead | 1,000 kg | Up to 350 km | Solid propellant |
| Extended range | 500 kg | Up to 500 km | Solid propellant |
Bolstering self-reliance in defence
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, the armed forces, and domestic manufacturing partners on the milestone. Writing on X, Singh said the missile's advanced guidance and navigation suites would significantly bolster military preparedness against emerging cross-border threats, calling the trial another major marker in self-reliant defence production.
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the project teams, noting that validating the missile under rigorous user-trial conditions proved the maturity of India's indigenous missile design ecosystem.
With user evaluations concluded, mass production protocols at Bharat Dynamics Limited are expected to gather pace, providing the armed forces with a formidable, home-grown conventional deterrence tool along India's frontiers.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Test launch time | 11:10 am | Ministry of Defence |
| Maximum strike range | 150 km to 500 km | Ministry of Defence |
| Warhead payload capacity | 500 kg to 1,000 kg | Ministry of Defence |
Questions readers are asking
What is the Pralay missile?
Pralay is an indigenous, short-range, solid-fuel surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying conventional warheads between 500 kg and 1,000 kg across distances ranging from 150 km to 500 km.
Why is Pralay called a quasi-ballistic missile?
Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that travel along a predictable parabolic trajectory, Pralay can alter its path and manoeuvre during flight, making it significantly harder for enemy air defence systems to intercept.
Who manufactures the Pralay missile?
Pralay was designed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad and is produced by public sector defence manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited.
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Defence Research and Development Organisation | Developed the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile and conducted the flight test. |
| Pralay | Indigenous short-range quasi-ballistic missile tested off the Odisha coast. |
