India achieved a significant milestone in its missile development program on Wednesday by successfully conducting a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles. The quick-succession firings from a single launcher took place off the coast of Odisha, marking a crucial step in user evaluation trials conducted by the armed forces.
Precision Test at Chandipur Coast
The defence ministry confirmed that the tests were carried out at approximately 10:30 am from a location near the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. Both missiles followed their pre-planned flight paths perfectly and achieved all mission objectives. A network of tracking sensors set up by the test range team monitored the missiles' performance throughout their journey.
To verify the final phase of the flight, telemetry systems installed on a ship positioned near the designated impact points in the Bay of Bengal recorded the terminal events. The entire operation demonstrated the operational reliability and combat readiness of the new missile system.
Indigenous Powerhouse: The Pralay Missile
Pralay is a formidable, solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile developed entirely within India. It incorporates advanced guidance and navigation systems engineered for high precision strikes. According to the defence ministry, the missile is designed to be versatile, capable of carrying various types of warheads and engaging a spectrum of targets at different ranges.
The missile has been developed under the leadership of the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, which collaborated with several other laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian industry partners. Key production partners Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) were responsible for system integration for these crucial tests.
Path to Induction and Leadership Praise
The test was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, and officials from the industry. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the successful launch, commending the DRDO, the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings, and the industry partners involved.
He stated that the completion of this salvo launch firmly establishes the reliability of the Pralay missile system. Echoing this sentiment, DRDO chairman and secretary of the department of defence R&D, Samir V Kamat, congratulated all teams. He indicated that the successful back-to-back flight tests signal that the missile system is nearing its induction phase into the armed forces.
This successful user evaluation trial significantly strengthens India's strategic missile capabilities, with both test units meeting every planned parameter. The event marks a decisive step towards adding a powerful, home-grown weapon system to the nation's defence arsenal.
