DRDO Conducts Successful Test of 'Pralay' Short-Range Ballistic Missile Off Odisha's Coast

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone on Monday with the successful test-firing of the Pralay surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from Abdul Kalam Island, located off the coast of Odisha.

The launch took place at 9:35 AM and met all mission objectives, demonstrating the missile's key performance parameters. This success underscores India's advancing capability in indigenous missile technology and aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to reduce reliance on foreign defence imports.

Pralay is a canisterised, road-mobile ballistic missile tailored for precision attacks on strategic military assets such as enemy air bases, logistics hubs, and troop concentrations. It boasts a range of 150 to 500 kilometers and can carry payloads weighing up to 1,000 kg, enhancing the strategic reach and rapid deployment capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

A distinctive feature of the Pralay missile is its quasi-ballistic flight path. While it follows a ballistic trajectory, the warhead is capable of mid-course and terminal stage maneuvers, increasing its resistance to interception. The missile is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance systems, including inertial navigation and a radio frequency seeker, to improve accuracy during the terminal phase.

The missile offers a quick reaction time, capable of being launched within ten minutes of transport, which ensures both operational versatility and survivability in hostile environments. Although similar in size and weight to the Prithvi series, Pralay provides a greater range and enhanced lethality without crossing the nuclear threshold.

Defence sources indicate that Pralay is designed for potential deployment along the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control with China, providing a powerful and swift conventional strike capability in the face of provocation or aggression.

This successful test marks a significant advancement in India's tactical missile capabilities and highlights DRDO’s ongoing efforts in developing the next generation of indigenous weapon systems.