New Delhi: India on Thursday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying conventional warheads. The missile was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, the Defence Ministry said.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pralay is a short-range, surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg and a strike range of 150-500 km.
"With this successful test, the induction of the system has become imminent," the ministry said.
The solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile uses advanced guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision. It is designed to carry multiple types of warheads against different targets.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the flight test was conducted at 11.10 am as part of user evaluation trials and met all stipulated objectives.
"DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay Missile off the coast of Odisha today at 1110 hrs. The test was conducted as part of user evaluation trials and successfully met all the stipulated objectives, as validated by data captured through various range instruments," Singh said.
DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay Missile off the coast of Odisha today at 1110 hrs.The test was conducted as part of user evaluation trials and successfully met all the stipulated objectives, as validated by data captured through various range instruments.This successful trial marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
He described the successful trial as "another significant milestone" in strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities.
The Defence Ministry said all test objectives were met, as confirmed by data captured by range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur.
The missile was developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, the ministry said. Bharat Dynamics Limited, one of the development-cum-production partners, manufactured the system.
The flight test was conducted in the presence of senior DRDO officials, representatives from the defence industry and members of the armed forces as part of the user evaluation trials.
Singh congratulated the DRDO, the defence forces and industry partners on the successful test. He said the missile's advanced technologies would further strengthen the military's technological capabilities and operational preparedness against emerging threats.
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams involved in the flight test.