Bhubaneswar: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone with the successful back-to-back flight tests of its indigenously developed Pralay missile on July 28 and 29, 2025, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The tests were conducted as part of User Evaluation Trials to validate both the minimum and maximum range capabilities of the advanced missile system.
During both tests, the Pralay missile followed the planned trajectory with pin-point accuracy, precisely hitting the designated targets and meeting all mission objectives. All subsystems functioned as expected, with data collected by tracking sensors of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), including equipment placed aboard ships near the target zone, confirming the system’s flawless performance.
Developed entirely within India, Pralay is a solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile equipped with cutting-edge guidance and navigation technology. The versatile weapon system is capable of carrying various types of warheads and is designed to neutralize a range of targets with high precision.
The missile system is the result of collaborative efforts led by Research Centre Imarat in partnership with several DRDO labs including the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Armament Research & Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, and Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), along with the Integrated Test Range (ITR). The development was further supported by industry partners such as Bharat Dynamics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, and several MSMEs across the country.
The tests were witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, and industry stakeholders.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners on the successful trials, stating that the missile’s modern technologies will significantly strengthen India’s defence capabilities. “This success is a major technological boost for our Armed Forces against emerging threats,” he said.
Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations to the teams involved. He remarked that the successful completion of this Phase-1 user evaluation sets the stage for the missile’s induction into the Armed Forces in the near future.
