Understanding India’s cutting-edge defence technologies is crucial for UPSC, SSC, and other government exam aspirants, especially for GS Paper 3 – Defence & Security.
The Pralay Missile, indigenously developed by DRDO, reflects India’s strong push toward strategic self-reliance and advanced military capabilities.
🚀 Why Is It in News?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently conducted two consecutive successful flight-tests of the Pralay Missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
This marks a significant achievement in India’s missile program, strengthening national security.
✅ Key Highlights of Pralay Missile
📍 Test Location
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Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
📅 Recent Event
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Two successful consecutive flight-tests in 2025
🔧 About the Missile
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Type: Indigenously-developed Quasi-Ballistic Missile
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Fuel: Solid Propellant
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Launch Platform: Mobile launcher for operational flexibility
🎯 Capabilities & Features
✔️ Range: 150–500 km
✔️ Payload Capacity: 500–1,000 kg (Conventional warheads)
✔️ Precision: CEP (Circular Error Probable) < 10 meters
✔️ Terminal Speed: Mach 6.1 (Hypersonic speed)
✔️ Targets: Radar installations, command & control centers, airstrips
✔️ Advanced Guidance: Mid-air trajectory shift capability for enhanced accuracy
🛠️ Development Partners
🔹 Research Centre Imarat (RCI) & DRDO Labs – Lead developers
🔹 Industry Partners:
• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Various MSMEs and defence industry collaborators
⚡ Strategic Relevance
📚 For UPSC Aspirants –
The Pralay Missile strengthens India’s deterrence posture in the regional security context, especially given rising tensions in Asia.
It is a part of India’s strategy toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing and technology self-sufficiency.
Understanding such systems is key for questions in Defence, Technology, and Security sectors.