Game changer: India test-fires Pralay missiles in rapid succession off Odisha coast

New Delhi: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired two Pralay missiles in quick succession off the coast of Odisha, marking another milestone for the country’s indigenous missile development program.

Pralay, a quasi-ballistic short-range tactical missile, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and features a state-of-the-art navigation system designed to ensure high precision. It is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads to strike various targets.

The Defence Ministry said, "The flight-test was conducted as part of user evaluation trials. Both missiles followed the intended trajectory, meeting all flight objectives as confirmed by tracking sensors."

The test-firing follows the culmination of a project that began in March 2015 with a sanctioned budget of reportedly ₹332.88 crore. The Pralay missile uses a combination of technologies developed for the Prahaar tactical missile and the exoatmospheric interceptor Prithvi Defence Vehicle.

Pralay is canisterised and designed for surface-to-surface deployment. It is set to become a key part of India’s Integrated Rocket Force, alongside other strategic systems such as Nirbhay, BrahMos, and Pinaka.