The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully launched two Pralay missiles in quick succession from a single launcher off the Odisha coast on 31 December, the Ministry of Defence said. The rapid salvo, conducted at 10:30am from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, was carried out as part of user evaluation trials and met all flight objectives.
Both missiles followed their intended trajectories and demonstrated the system’s accuracy and repeatability. DRDO released video footage of the launch on its social media handle showing the two missiles clearing the launcher in close sequence and tracking as planned.
Pralay missile design, partners and purpose
The Pralay missile is an indigenously developed, solid-propellant quasi-ballistic weapon designed to deliver precise strikes against a range of targets. Developed primarily by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, the programme drew on capabilities across the DRDO network, including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Armament Research and Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory and Research Development Establishment (Engineers).
Production and integration partners included Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited along with several Indian industry vendors. The involvement of public sector undertakings and private suppliers underlines a broader push to scale domestic production and field advanced systems alongside user services.
Senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, and industry stakeholders, including the development-cum-production partners, observed the trials. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and industry partners on the flawless salvo launch.
Operational implications and next steps
The successful salvo launch demonstrates improved operational flexibility. Launching two missiles in quick succession from a single launcher reduces launch preparation time and enhances the ability to engage multiple targets or employ redundancy in contested environments. While the test does not alter India’s stated defensive posture, it signals continued investment in precision strike capabilities developed entirely within the country.
Officials said the trials were part of ongoing user evaluation, a routine phase that allows end users to validate performance under operational conditions. Data from the test will inform any final adjustments ahead of induction or mass production, and will support planning for deployment with user services.
Analysts note that India’s continued focus on indigenous systems seeks to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and to strengthen domestic manufacturing for defence. The Pralay programme is a component of that strategy, combining advances in guidance, propulsion and materials science to produce a capable short-range quasi-ballistic missile.
The Ministry of Defence statement and DRDO’s public release did not disclose specific range or payload details for the trial. The agency indicated further tests and evaluations will follow as required by user agencies and development partners.
As India enters 2026, this successful salvo marks a tangible milestone for the DRDO and its industry partners, reinforcing the trajectory of domestic defence research, development and production.
Key Takeaways:
- DRDO successfully conducted a rapid salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from a single launcher off Odisha, meeting all flight objectives.
- The test was part of user evaluation trials and demonstrated the missiles’ precision guidance and intended trajectories.
- The Pralay missile, an indigenously developed solid-propellant quasi-ballistic system, involved DRDO, DPSUs and Indian industry partners.
- Senior defence officials, IAF and Army representatives witnessed the trials, underscoring India’s focus on domestic defence technology.
