The chairman of DRDO noted that this achievement clears the path for the Pralay surface-to-surface missile to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently carried out two successive flight tests of the Pralay missile, demonstrating that it met all the required criteria for a successful launch.
The tests were conducted on Abdul Kalam Island, located off Odisha’s eastern coast, on July 28 and 29, 2025.
During this User Evaluation Trial, DRDO confirmed the missile’s minimum and maximum range capabilities without disclosing specific distances. The missile precisely followed its programmed trajectory and hit the target with remarkable accuracy.
Subsystem performance met expectations, confirmed by data from tracking sensors positioned throughout the Integrated Test Range, including those on nearby ships at the impact site.
About Pralay Missile
Pralay is an indigenous solid-fuel quasi-ballistic missile developed by Research Centre Imarat and other DRDO laboratories. It can be equipped with various warhead types for different mission profiles.
The missile bridges a critical capability gap between India’s long-range strategic missiles like the Agni series and shorter-range battlefield weapons such as the Pinaka rocket system.
Its low, maneuverable flight path helps evade enemy anti-ballistic missile defenses, making it highly effective against strategic targets including airbases, supply hubs, and missile launch sites.
DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat praised the milestone, stating that these successful phase-one tests pave the way for the missile’s formal induction.
Strategic Context
India’s defense posture continues to evolve amid regional tensions, notably following a standoff with Pakistan in May. Chinese support to Pakistan during this period intensified India’s resolve to enhance its missile capabilities.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), India’s growing missile forces reflect a broader shift toward mixed deterrence strategies beyond mere nuclear reliance.
Pralay as a Response to Pakistan’s Nasr
India approved acquiring approximately 120 Pralay missiles in 2023 with plans to add 250 more. With an estimated range between 150 to 500 km, Pralay is a non-strategic missile designed to maintain regional stability while providing precision strike capability.
Defense analyst Harshavardhan Dabbiru notes that Pralay counters Pakistan’s Nasr (Hatf-9) missile but differs as it is conventionally armed, unlike Nasr’s nuclear capability.
Deployed along India’s western border, Pralay significantly extends India’s ability to target vital Pakistani military infrastructure.
On July 29, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the country’s growing self-reliance in missile technology, praising indigenous systems like Agni, Prithvi, and BrahMos as ready deterrents.
Regional Arms Developments
During the May conflict, Pakistan deployed China’s PL-15 air-to-air missiles from JF-17 and J-10C fighters, signaling advances in their aerial strike capability. The Pakistan Air Force recently showcased JF-17 fighters and the PL-15E missile model at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo in the UK, highlighting ongoing modernization efforts.
