Why in news?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successive flight‑tests of the Pralay quasi‑ballistic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The tests validated the missile’s performance across its entire range.
What is Pralay?
Pralay is a surface‑to‑surface missile designed to deliver conventional warheads with high precision. Unlike ballistic missiles that follow predictable parabolic paths, a quasi‑ballistic missile can manoeuvre mid‑flight to evade missile defence systems.
Key features
- Range and payload: Pralay can strike targets up to 500 kilometres away and carry warheads weighing up to one tonne, including unitary or cluster munitions.
- Guidance: It uses an inertial navigation system coupled with satellite guidance, allowing trajectory corrections and high accuracy.
- Mobility: The missile is road‑mobile, enabling quick deployment and launch from concealed locations.
Development and testing
The missile was designed by the Research Centre Imarat and developed in collaboration with DRDO laboratories like the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and the Advanced Systems Laboratory, with manufacturing support from Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. The July 2025 tests were part of user evaluation trials to assess maximum and minimum range capabilities and verify the performance of subsystems before induction.
Strategic significance
- Conventional deterrence: Pralay adds a highly accurate, high‑speed option to India’s arsenal for conventional strikes, complementing strategic missiles.
- Integrated Rocket Force: The missile is expected to be a key component of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force, enhancing joint operations and tactical flexibility.
- Operational readiness: Successful tests signal progress toward induction and strengthen India’s preparedness to respond to regional security challenges.