DRDO carries out salvo launch of Pralay missiles
- Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile built by DRDO for tactical strike roles [S1][S2].
- On 31 December 2025, DRDO carried out a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher off the Odisha coast, a key user-evaluation milestone [S1].
- Relevant for UPSC as a recurring Science & Tech / Defence indigenisation current-affairs item and for testing knowledge of India's missile family (Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos, Pralay, Akash) [S1][S2].
2. Why in the News
- DRDO conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession from the same launcher at around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, off the Odisha coast, as part of user evaluation trials [S1].
- Both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all mission objectives, confirmed by tracking sensors of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur; terminal events were validated via telemetry from ships near impact points [S1].
- Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh stated the successful salvo launch established the missile's reliability [S1].
3. Background & Evolution
- Maiden launch of Pralay: conducted by DRDO as an indigenously developed new-generation surface-to-surface missile (per PIB release on its first test) [S1].
- Second flight-test: DRDO conducted a second flight-test of the conventional surface-to-surface Pralay missile to validate repeatability [S1].
- Subsequent two consecutive flight-tests were successfully conducted, followed by the salvo launch (two missiles, same launcher) on 31 December 2025 as part of user evaluation trials — a step preceding induction [S1].
- Developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs — Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) — and production partners Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) [S1].
4. Core Static Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic, surface-to-surface, short-range tactical missile [S2] |
| Range | ~150 km – 500 km [S2] |
| Payload | 350–700 kg / 500–1,000 kg — HEPF, Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB), Runway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS) [S2] |
| Terminal speed | Mach 5–6 [S2] |
| Guidance | Advanced inertial navigation; CEP < 10 m; MaRV (Manoeuvrable Re-entry Vehicle) technology [S2] |
| Launch platform | Road-mobile canister launcher (Ashok Leyland 12×12), shoot-and-scoot capable [S2] |
| Developing lab | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with DRDL, ASL, ARDE [S1] |
| Production partners | BDL, BEL [S1] |
| Test range | Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off Odisha coast [S1] |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Defence (DRDO) [S1] |
| Salvo launch date | 31 December 2025 (test); reported in press 1 January 2026 |
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Strategic / Geopolitical - Fills a tactical-strike gap for targeting radar sites, command posts, and advance airfields, useful in a short, high-intensity border conflict scenario [S2]. - Enhances credible conventional deterrence without crossing the nuclear threshold, given it is a conventional-warhead system [S1][S2].
Scientific / Technological - Demonstrates indigenous capability in quasi-ballistic missile design, MaRV technology, and multi-launcher salvo firing — a complex feat requiring precise sequencing and telemetry tracking [S1][S2]. - Salvo capability (multiple missiles, same launcher, quick succession) signals progress toward saturation-strike readiness [S1].
Administrative - Testing conducted through coordinated efforts of DRDO labs (RCI, DRDL, ASL, ARDE) and ITR Chandipur, illustrating DRDO's decentralized lab-based R&D model [S1]. - Transition from developmental trials to user evaluation trials indicates movement toward Army induction [S1].
Economic - Involvement of DPSUs BDL and BEL as production partners supports domestic defence-manufacturing/"Atmanirbhar Bharat" ecosystem and import substitution [S1].
6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)
- 31 December 2025: Salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher off Odisha coast as part of user evaluation trials [S1].
- Prior to this, DRDO conducted two consecutive flight-tests of Pralay to validate consistency ahead of user trials [S1].
- Reported in national press (including The Hindu) on 1 January 2026, under International/Defence section [User-supplied source].
7. Prelims Hooks
- Pralay is a solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile, not a cruise missile [S2].
- Developed primarily by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad [S1].
- Range bracket: 150–500 km [S2].
- Terminal speed: Mach 5–6 [S2].
- CEP (accuracy): less than 10 metres [S2].
- Uses MaRV (Manoeuvrable Re-entry Vehicle) technology for evasive trajectory changes [S2].
- Launch platform: road-mobile canister launcher (12×12 Ashok Leyland chassis) [S2].
- Warhead types include HEPF, Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB), and Runway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS) [S2].
- Production partners: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) [S1].
- The December 2025 test was a salvo launch — two missiles from the same launcher — under user evaluation trials, not a maiden test [S1].
- Test conducted off the Odisha coast, tracked by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur [S1].
- Terminal events validated via telemetry from ships near designated impact points [S1].
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Defence (via DRDO) [S1].
- Pralay is meant to meet the Indian Army's tactical ballistic missile requirement [S2].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III: Science and Technology — indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Awareness in space, defence and IT.
- GS-II (peripheral): India's neighbourhood/security policy linkages if discussed in strategic-deterrence context.
- Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the significance of indigenous tactical ballistic missile systems like Pralay in strengthening India's conventional deterrence capability." (GS-III) 2. "Examine the role of DRDO's laboratory network and DPSUs like BDL and BEL in achieving self-reliance in missile technology." (GS-III) 3. "How does salvo-launch capability alter the operational doctrine of short-range tactical missile forces?" (GS-III)
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Agni series missiles — compare strategic (long-range/nuclear-capable) vs Pralay's tactical/conventional role.
- BrahMos cruise missile — contrast quasi-ballistic vs cruise missile technology.
- Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) — historical foundation of India's missile programme.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence / Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy — policy context for indigenisation.
- DRDO organisational structure (labs like RCI, DRDL, ASL, ARDE) — administrative/institutional mapping.
- MaRV and hypersonic technology developments (e.g., HGV, DRDO's hypersonic test vehicle) — related tech trajectory.
- Integrated Test Range, Chandipur — key testing infrastructure for India's missile programme.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- Confusing Pralay (quasi-ballistic, tactical, conventional) with Agni series (strategic, nuclear-capable, long-range).
- Assuming Pralay is a cruise missile — it is ballistic/quasi-ballistic, not a cruise missile like BrahMos/Nirbhay.
- Misattributing the developing lab — it is RCI Hyderabad, not DRDL alone or ISRO.
- Confusing "salvo launch" (multiple missiles fired from same/different launchers in quick succession) with a routine single "flight-test."
- Assuming the December 2025 test was the maiden launch — it was actually a later-stage user evaluation trial, following earlier developmental flight-tests.
11. Sources
- [S1] DRDO successfully conducts salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2210128®=3&lang=1 — (tier: 1)
- [S2] Pralay Missile, Features, Range, Speed, Latest News — https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/pralay-missile/ — (tier: 4)