New Delhi, 31 December (H.S.): In a major milestone for India’s tactical missile program, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the test-launch of two Pralay short-range ballistic missiles in quick succession from a single launcher off the Odisha coast. Both missiles met all flight parameters with high precision, validating system reliability and performance standards.

The twin launches were carried out around 10:30 a.m. from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, as part of a user evaluation trial in the presence of officials from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. Tracking sensors deployed along the coast confirmed the missiles followed their planned trajectories and achieved all mission objectives.

Following the successful trials, preparations will begin soon to induct the Pralay missile system into service with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.

About Pralay Missile

Developed indigenously by DRDO, Pralay is a solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying a variety of conventional warheads for high-precision strikes. It has an operational range of up to 500 kilometers and boasts advanced features such as high maneuverability and trajectory correction for enhanced accuracy.

The missile is designed to destroy high-value enemy targets such as air bases, supply depots, and military installations located deep inside hostile territory. With deployment approved for both western and northern frontiers, the Pralay system brings within its strike range several key Pakistani airbases and critical Chinese military positions.

Indigenous Collaboration and Development

The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, spearheaded development in collaboration with several premier DRDO laboratories including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), and the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers).

The project was jointly developed and integrated with state-owned partners such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and multiple Indian private-sector industries under the development-cum-production partnership model.

Senior officials from DRDO, along with officers of the Indian Air Force and Army, witnessed the test, assessing performance and system readiness.

Leaders’ Remarks

Extending congratulations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the DRDO, armed forces, and public sector units for the back-to-back successful tests, stating that the results reaffirm Pralay’s reliability and operational maturity.

DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat lauded the achievement, noting that the success demonstrates the system’s readiness for user induction and paves the way for its early deployment with frontline services.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar