TV
India successfully test-fired its indigenous short-range ballistic missile ‘Pralay’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on Monday. The launch was conducted at 9:35 am and marked a key practical trial of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) strategic weapon system.
Developed by the DRDO, Pralay is a state-of-the-art quasi-ballistic, surface-to-surface missile engineered for high-precision strikes in conventional battlefield scenarios. It has a strike range between 150 and 500 kilometres and is designed specifically to defeat missile interceptor systems.
Capable of Evading Interceptors Mid-Air
Equipped with a solid-fuel rocket motor and advanced navigation and avionics, Pralay can alter its trajectory mid-flight, making it highly resistant to interception.
The missile carries a conventional warhead weighing between 350 and 700 kilograms and is designed to strike command centres, logistics hubs, and enemy airbases with high accuracy.
Officials confirmed that the missile hit its intended target during today’s test, validating its performance under real-world deployment conditions.
Mobile and Rapid Deployment Platform
A key feature of Pralay is its twin-launcher system, mounted on a high-mobility vehicle, enabling rapid deployment along active borders. This allows India to deliver conventional firepower at short notice across contested zones, especially in scenarios demanding quick escalation control.
Force Multiplier for Indian Army and Air Force
The Pralay missile is seen as a major boost for India's short-range conventional strike capabilities, particularly in high-stakes border scenarios. It is intended to equip both the Indian Army and Air Force with greater tactical flexibility during rapid military escalations.
Unlike intercontinental ballistic missiles, Pralay is designed for quick-deployment scenarios, where speed, accuracy, and evasion are critical. The success of this test moves the missile closer to full induction into the Indian Armed Forces.
