DRDO Successfully Tests Pralay Missile Twice Off Odisha Coast

Bhubaneswar: In a significant milestone for India’s strategic defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two consecutive flight-tests of the indigenously developed Pralay missile on July 28 and 29 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, the tests were part of User Evaluation Trials conducted to validate the missile’s operational envelope, including both minimum and maximum range capabilities. Both trials were successful, with the missiles achieving high-precision strikes on their intended targets and fulfilling all mission objectives.

The missile trajectories were closely monitored using a network of tracking sensors and data collection instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), including sensors on a ship positioned near the impact area. DRDO confirmed that all subsystems performed flawlessly during the tests.

Pralay is a solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile designed for precision strikes against a variety of high-value targets. It is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems and can carry multiple types of conventional warheads. The missile system was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other laboratories including DRDL, ASL, ARDE, HEMRL, DMRL, TBRL, R&DE(Engineers), and ITR, with strong support from industry partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and several MSMEs.

The successful trials were witnessed by senior scientists from DRDO, representatives from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and industry collaborators.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, Armed Forces, and industry partners for the success, stating that Pralay will greatly enhance India’s strike capabilities and bolster national security amid evolving regional threats.

Dr Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, lauded the teams involved and noted that the successful completion of these flight trials marks a critical step towards the missile’s induction into active service.