Pralay Missile DRDO Test: Two Successful Trials Confirm Range and Precision

Pralay Missile DRDO Test successfully conducted on July 28–29, 2025 confirms India’s tactical strike capability with 150–500 km range, radar evasion, and battlefield mobility.

Two Consecutive Successful Flight Tests of Pralay Missile by DRDO

Overview of the Test Events
In a milestone development for India’s defence sector, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two back-to-back successful flight tests of the Pralay quasi‑ballistic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on July 28 and 29, 2025. These trials were part of User Evaluation Trials aimed at validating both minimum and maximum range capabilities of the missile system

Precision and Performance Achieved
During the tests, the missile precisely followed pre‑planned trajectories and struck designated targets with pin‑point accuracy, satisfying all mission objectives. All onboard subsystems functioned as expected, verified using telemetry and tracking data from sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), including monitoring instruments aboard a ship near the impact zone

Technical Profile of Pralay Missile
Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid‑propellant, quasi‑ballistic surface‑to‑surface missile equipped with state‑of‑the‑art guidance and navigation systems that enable mid‑flight trajectory maneuvers and high strike accuracy. It can carry multiple types of conventional warheads and is designed with built‑in radar evasion capability. The missile has an operational range of 150–500 km and weighs approximately 5,000 kgIt can be mounted on a mobile Tatra/BEML 12×12 launcher, thereby enhancing battlefield mobility

Development and Collaboration
The missile system was developed under the leadership of DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (Hyderabad), in collaboration with multiple DRDO laboratories (including DRDL, ASL, ARDE, HEMRL, DMRL, TBRL, R&DE Engineers) and industry partners such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), alongside numerous MSMEs

Official Recognition and Future Induction
Senior scientists, representatives of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, and industry stakeholders witnessed the tests. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO and its partners for the achievement, emphasizing the missile’s strategic value. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat remarked that successful completion of Phase‑1 trials paves the way for final induction into the Armed Forces in the near future

Pralay missile DRDO test

B) Why This News Is Important

Enhancing India’s Tactical Deterrence

The successful consecutive trials of Pralay underscore India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology. With the missile’s 150–500 km range, high precision, and radar evasion features, India gains a potent non-nuclear strike capability critical for countering threats along both the LAC and LoC

Boost to Strategic Readiness and Mobility

Pralay’s deployment on a road‑mobile launch platform enhances rapid deployment flexibility. The mobility allows swift response in battlefield scenarios, offering operational advantage and strengthening India’s deterrence postures in the region.

Validation of Technology and Precision

The trials validated essential subsystems including guidance, navigation, control algorithms, and MaRV technology (Maneuverable Re‑entry Vehicle). Through telemetry and tracking systems, DRDO confirmed that the missile met all mission parameters with high consistency, offering a roadmap for final deployment.

Integration Into India’s Defence Architecture

Post-tests, Pralay is likely to be integrated into the planned Integrated Rocket Force alongside other indigenous systems like BrahMos and Pinaka. It complements India’s broader strategy of enhancing conventional deterrence through advanced and precise battlefield platforms.

C) Historical Context

Evolution of Pralay Missile Project

Initiated in 2015, Project Pralay was cleared by the MoD the same year with development completed by 2021, followed by user trials and weapon orders beginning late 2022
India approved 120 Pralay missiles for procurement in January 2023, subsequently expanding to a further batch of 250 missiles worth ₹7,500 crore by April 2023
The system shared technological lineage with DRDO’s Prahaar tactical missile, adapting and extending its operational envelope and accuracy for long-range battlefield use

Context of Regional Security and Strategic Imperatives

Pralay’s development was partially driven by the need to counter Pakistan’s Nasr tactical weapon and China’s DF-12 (Dongfeng‑12) missile systems. It offers a conventional, precise, and flexible strike capability, serving as a deterrent to limited conflicts while avoiding nuclear escalation

D) Key Takeaways from “Pralay Missile Tests”

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Pralay missile?

The Pralay missile is a surface-to-surface, quasi-ballistic missile developed indigenously by DRDO. It is designed for tactical battlefield operations with a range of 150–500 km and can carry conventional warheads.

2. Why is the Pralay missile significant for India’s defence forces?

It enhances India’s conventional strike capability, providing a precision-attack option without resorting to nuclear weapons. Its mobility and radar-evading features increase strategic flexibility.

3. When were the recent flight tests of the Pralay missile conducted?

Two consecutive successful flight tests were conducted on July 28 and 29, 2025, at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

4. What is the range of the Pralay missile?

The missile has an operational range of 150 to 500 kilometres, depending on payload configuration and trajectory.

5. Which organisations contributed to the development of the Pralay missile?

The project was led by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, with contributions from DRDL, ASL, ARDE, BEL, BDL, and multiple Indian MSMEs.

6. What technology does the Pralay missile incorporate?

It includes advanced inertial navigation, solid-propellant propulsion, and MaRV (Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle) capabilities for precise terminal-phase guidance.