Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) made a breakthrough with the launching of the Pralay missile that took place at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island of the Odisha coast. This was a high-profile test, which was conducted on 30 December 2025 as an element of Indian validation of the accuracy of the indigenous surface-to-surface, solid-fuel ballistic missile, to support India in its tactical armoury as tensions in the region escalated.
Pralay, which was developed since 2015 in the frame of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, covers the gap between short-range rockets, such as Pinaka, and full-fledged ballistic missiles. Having a range of 150-500km, it will attack enemy air bases, logistics bases, and command posts, with the introduction of inertial navigation and ring laser gyro, it is able to hit the target with a 10 meter CEP.
Key Features and Tech Specs
The canister-launched design of the pralay allows the rapidity of deployment as well as road-mobile execution and protection against pre-launch assaults. It has a speed of Mach 5 by a single-stage solid rocket engine and avoids air defense by conducting maneuvering and decoys. High-explosives (350-1,000 kg), submunitions, or thermobaric warheads can be used as payloads and are fired on a quasi-ballistic mode over a long distance.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Range | 150-500 km |
| Speed | Mach 5+ |
| Payload | 350-1,000 kg |
| Length | 5.5 m |
| Launch Mode | Canister, Mobile |
This is suitable as no-first-use doctrine, which prevents incursions along LAC and LoC.
Highlights and Results of the test.
The flight simulated terminal corrections as adjusted by the user, thus striking an imaginary target in the Bay of Bengal. Chief DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat called it a game- changer in the battlefield superiority and assured all the parameters such as propulsion, control and separation systems. Combined with command networks of Army, it can be fitted in BrahMos and Agni series.
Observed by high-ranking Army officials, the trial sets the stage of being inducted by 2026-27, with manufacturing cleared to Tata and L&T. It is less than 40 percent the price of imports.
Strategic Boost for India
Following Balakot and Galwan, Pralay fills the gaps in quick action munitions, in counter to Fatah used by Pakistan and DF-15 used by china. Export potential allies with QUAD, which is in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat. Indeed, as induction approaches it strengthens the shield of India missiles, without any upsurge of power.
