India’s Defence Analysis and Improvement Organisation (DRDO) performed two consecutive flight exams, proving, it’s mentioned, all of the goals for the profitable launch of the Pralay surface-to-surface missile.
The exams occurred on Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of the Japanese State of Odisha, over the past two days (28 and 29 July 2025).
Via this Consumer Analysis Trial, the DRDO mentioned it validated the utmost and minimal vary functionality of the missile system, with out providing any particular distance. The missiles exactly adopted the meant trajectory and reached the goal with level with pin-point accuracy.
It’s mentioned that the subsystems carried out as anticipated; this was verified utilizing check knowledge captured by varied monitoring sensors all through the Built-in Check Vary, together with devices deployed on ships positioned close to the designated influence level.
What kind of missile is Pralay?
Pralay is an indigenously developed, strong propellant, quasi-ballistic missile developed by Analysis Centre Imarat in collaboration different DRDO labs. The missile is able to carrying completely different warhead sorts in opposition to varied targets.
It fills a essential hole in India’s missile arsenal between long-range strategic methods just like the Agni sequence and short-range battlefield weapons reminiscent of Pinaka rockets.
The system follows a low, manoeuvrable trajectory to evade interception by enemy anti-ballistic missile interceptors, making it ultimate for placing high-value enemy targets reminiscent of air bases, logistics nodes, and missile batteries.
DRDO Chairman, Dr Samir V Kamat, praised the newest trial, stating that the profitable completion of the section one flight exams “paves the way in which for induction of the system” into the Armed Forces.
Competing in standard missiles
It may very well be mentioned that India underestimated its regional rival Pakistan within the standoff that occurred in Could.
Though the results of this transient alternate between the 2 nuclear powers is contested, China’s help to Pakistani forces – in provisions and intelligence – emboldened its response to Operation Sindoor, what India calls its counter-terrorism mission, greater than was anticipated.
On this backdrop, India will proceed to advance its defence capabilities going ahead. Missiles are a essential asset of their arsenal.
In response to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the growth of armaments in a brand new technological period is “prompting nuclear powers like India to reinvest in analogous and hybrid methods somewhat than simply being reliant on nuclear deterrence. India’s Built-in Rocket Drive (IRF) is a step in that course.”
Pralay responds to Nasr
India first authorised the acquisition of round 120 Pralay missiles in 2023 with plans to induct 250 extra. The vary is alleged to fall someplace between 150 and 500 kilometres. This makes Pralay a non-strategic missile that doesn’t violate strategic stability or threat uneven escalation.
“With a most vary of 500km, Pralay is taken into account a counter to Pakistan’s Nasr (Hatf-9) missile,” noticed GlobalData defence analyst, Harshavardhan Dabbiru. “Nonetheless, not like Nasr, which is nuclear-capable, Pralay is designed for high-precision standard strikes.
“As soon as positioned alongside India’s western frontier, this missile extends India’s capability for deep-strike capabilities by putting essential Pakistani navy installations inside its attain,” Dabbiru added.
On 29 July, the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh famous ongoing efforts to advance the nation’s missile capabilities throughout a session on halting Operation Sindoor:
Beforehand, “we have been fully depending on international nations for our defence tools, however as we speak India is quickly turning into Aatmanirbhar [self-reliant] in defence.
“Our missiles reminiscent of Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos are able to reply the enemy as we speak, and all these are made in India”.
PL-15E missiles
Within the battle in Could, the Pakistan Air Drive deployed the export variant of China’s PL-15 air-to-air missiles fired from JF-17 and J-10C fighter jets.
The ostensible success of those missiles makes it possible that Pakistan will quick monitor the induction of the J-35 stealth fighter and the related PL sequence of past visible vary missiles, in addition to maybe improve its J-10 and PL-15 inventories, in accordance with the Institute of Strategic Research Islamabad.
Within the wake of the alternate, earlier this month, the Pakistan Air Drive showcased two JF-17 fighters and a mannequin of the PL-15E missile at RAF Fairford throughout the Royal Worldwide Air Tattoo 2025.
