Science & TechnologyImportant2025-12-31

DRDO Conducts Salvo Launch of Pralay Missiles

In News

What Happened

On December 31, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. Fired in quick succession from the same mobile launcher, both quasi-ballistic missiles met all flight objectives during this user evaluation trial. The test established the operational readiness and reliability of the solid-propellant system.

Why It Matters

This successful salvo launch paves the way for the imminent induction of the Pralay missile system into the Indian armed forces. By demonstrating rapid-fire capability and precision, it significantly boosts India's tactical deterrence and conventional strike capabilities along its borders.

Background

History & Context

The Pralay missile was developed by the DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other laboratories to meet the military's requirement for a modern, conventional surface-to-surface tactical weapon. First flight-tested in 2021, the system was designed to replace older, less evasive ballistic missiles in the Indian arsenal. The Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of Pralay missiles to strengthen India's conventional rocket force against potential border threats.

What Changed

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Trajectory Profile: BEFORE, older tactical missiles like the Prithvi series followed a predictable ballistic (parabolic) trajectory. NOW, Pralay employs a quasi-ballistic trajectory, flying lower and maneuvering mid-flight to evade enemy air defense systems.
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Launch Capability: BEFORE, earlier trials evaluated the solitary flight performance of individual Pralay missiles. NOW, the successful salvo launch from a single mobile launcher validates the system's rapid-fire capability for saturation strikes.
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Operational Readiness: BEFORE, the missile was in the developmental and early testing phase. NOW, completing these user evaluation trials signifies that the 150-500 km range weapon system is ready for immediate military induction.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This relates to the concept of 'Projectile Motion' in the Class 11 Physics NCERT (Chapter: Motion in a Plane). While a traditional ballistic missile follows a classic parabolic trajectory dictated primarily by gravity once its fuel is exhausted, a quasi-ballistic missile like Pralay applies aerodynamic maneuvering to deliberately deviate from this predictable path, complicating interception.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the Pralay missile system, consider the following statements: 1. It is a solid-propellant, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile. 2. It has an operational range exceeding 1,500 km. 3. Its quasi-ballistic trajectory prevents it from altering its path mid-air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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