India’s defence capabilities received a major boost on Wednesday as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of the indigenous ‘Pralay’ missile, firing two missiles in quick succession from a single launcher off the coast of Odisha.
The test was carried out as part of User Evaluation Trials, marking a crucial step towards the missile’s induction into the Indian Armed Forces. According to the Ministry of Defence, both missiles precisely followed their intended trajectories and successfully met all mission objectives, underscoring the system’s reliability and operational readiness.
A First-of-Its-Kind Demonstration
The launch, conducted around 10:30 am near the Odisha coastline, demonstrated India’s growing capability for rapid-response and precision strike operations. Salvo launches — where multiple missiles are fired from a single platform within a short time — are considered critical in modern warfare for overwhelming enemy defences.
Advanced Tracking and Monitoring
The missile flight was closely monitored by a network of sophisticated tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. Telemetry data from ships positioned near the target area confirmed the missile’s performance during the terminal phase, validating the accuracy of onboard navigation and guidance systems.
About the Pralay Missile
Pralay is a short-range, surface-to-surface, quasi-ballistic missile powered by solid fuel propulsion. Equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems, the missile is capable of delivering multiple types of warheads with high precision. Its maneuverability and accuracy make it a formidable tactical weapon for battlefield scenarios.
Collaborative Indigenous Effort
The missile has been developed under the leadership of Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with support from several DRDO laboratories and Indian defence industries. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) played key roles as development-cum-production partners, strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Government Reaction
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and defence PSUs on the successful test, calling it a significant validation of the missile’s operational capability. DRDO officials stated that the success of the user trials indicates that Pralay is nearing operational induction.
The achievement reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence technology and enhances its strategic deterrence posture.
