India Successfully Tests Indigenous Pralay Missile, Marks Another Milestone in Defence Development

Photo: IANS

New Delhi: India has achieved another milestone in strengthening its indigenous defence capabilities with the successful flight test of the domestically developed surface-to-surface Pralay missile. The test was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) off the Odisha coast on Thursday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the successful trial on Thursday, stating that the missile was tested at 11:10 am as part of user evaluation trials.

In a post on X, Singh said the missile successfully met all stipulated objectives, with its performance validated through data collected by various range instruments. He described the achievement as another significant step towards strengthening India's self-reliance in defence technology.

The Pralay missile is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface tactical missile and represents an important addition to India's domestic missile development programme.

DRDO's Recent Progress in Advanced Defence Technology

The latest missile test comes amid a series of developments in India's indigenous defence research programme. Last month, DRDO successfully conducted an experimental flight of its High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS), demonstrating its ability to operate in the stratosphere for extended periods.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the experimental platform reached an altitude of 21 kilometres above mean sea level and maintained an altitude of approximately 20 kilometres for more than 30 minutes before being commanded to descend. The system was subsequently recovered safely, and flight performance data was collected for analysis.

During the mission, the platform continuously transmitted real-time video footage and performance data to its ground control station.

It carried several instrumentation and control systems, including an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, onboard cameras and altitude-control mechanisms. Officials confirmed that the various subsystems functioned as intended throughout the flight.

HAPS Technology Offers New Surveillance Capabilities

The successful HAPS trial demonstrated India's progress in developing high-altitude platforms capable of operating in the stratosphere. Such systems have potential applications in persistent surveillance, communication networks and long-duration monitoring missions.

The experimental flight was conducted in coordination with multiple agencies, including the Indian Air Force, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.

Together, the successful Pralay missile test and the HAPS demonstration highlight DRDO's continuing efforts to advance indigenous defence technologies and reduce India's dependence on foreign military systems.