India closed 2025 with a notable advance in its missile capabilities when the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles off the Odisha coast. Fired in rapid succession from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, the missiles followed their intended flight paths and met all trial objectives. Multiple tracking systems—both land-based and ship-mounted—confirmed their accuracy and reliability, marking an important step toward operational deployment.
Strengthening Conventional Strike Power
The successful test is more than a technical validation; it reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen its conventional deterrence through indigenous systems. As regional security dynamics grow more complex, the ability to deliver precise, survivable, and timely firepower has become central to modern warfare. The Pralay missile, designed and built entirely in India, fits squarely within this evolving doctrine.
Understanding Pralay: Design and Role
Pralay is a short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile with an operational reach between 150 and 500 kilometers. Its defining feature lies in its flight profile—high speed combined with low-altitude maneuvering—making interception by enemy air defenses significantly more difficult. The system is intended for rapid deployment and precision strikes against high-value battlefield targets.
Developed through collaboration among key DRDO laboratories, with production support from public-sector defense firms, Pralay represents a mature integration of guidance, propulsion, and control technologies. The recent trial, observed by representatives from the armed forces and industry, demonstrated not only individual missile performance but also the system’s ability to execute coordinated launches.
Why Salvo Launch Matters on the Battlefield
The highlight of the test was the demonstration of salvo launch capability—firing multiple missiles almost simultaneously from a single platform. This capability fundamentally alters battlefield dynamics. When missiles are launched in a concentrated burst, enemy air defense systems face saturation, forcing them to track and intercept several incoming threats at once. This dramatically raises the probability that at least some missiles will penetrate defenses and reach their targets.
Salvo firing also enhances speed and surprise. Rapid launches compress the adversary’s reaction time, disrupting command-and-control processes and limiting options for countermeasures. For commanders, this means the ability to deliver decisive blows early in a conflict, targeting bridges, troop concentrations, logistics hubs, or air defense nodes before they can be repositioned or reinforced.
Additionally, salvo launches improve operational efficiency. By delivering concentrated firepower in a short window, fewer platforms are exposed for longer durations, reducing vulnerability. The approach also enables flexible payload use and tighter targeting accuracy, as range and trajectory assessments remain consistent across the salvo.
Strategic and Institutional Significance
For DRDO, the Pralay test reinforces a decades-long trajectory toward self-reliance in missile technology. From early ballistic systems to today’s precision strike weapons, India has steadily expanded its indigenous capabilities. The successful salvo trial accelerates Pralay’s path toward induction and complements existing systems, contributing to a layered and credible conventional deterrent.
A Step Toward Modern Warfare Readiness
The successful salvo launch of Pralay missiles underscores India’s transition toward more agile and effective battlefield doctrines. By validating rapid, coordinated strikes from a single platform, DRDO has demonstrated a capability aligned with the realities of modern conflict—where speed, precision, and saturation often determine outcomes. As Pralay moves closer to deployment, it promises to enhance the Indian armed forces’ ability to respond decisively in an increasingly contested strategic environment.
(With agency inputs)
