India achieved another significant milestone in strengthening its defence capabilities on Thursday with the successful test-firing of the indigenously developed Pralay missile off the Odisha coast. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile's successful trial marks another important step towards self-reliance in defence technology and military modernisation.
The missile was launched at 11:10 AM on Thursday and is designed to deliver precision strikes against short-range targets. Pralay can reportedly travel at a speed of approximately 7,500 kilometres per hour, has a maximum range of around 500 kilometres, and is capable of carrying a 700-kilogram warhead.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the successful test on X, stating that DRDO had successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Pralay missile off the Odisha coast at 11:10 AM on Thursday. Data collected through various tracking instruments confirmed that the test had achieved all its designated objectives, marking another significant milestone in strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities.
The successful trial follows a series of missile tests conducted by DRDO. In December 2025, India successfully tested the Pinaka missile system, capable of accurately striking targets within a range of approximately 120 kilometres. Previous trials of the Pralay missile conducted during the same period had also been successful.
Additionally, on 23 December 2025, India successfully tested the K-4 ballistic missile from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The missile has a range of approximately 3,500 kilometres and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead weighing up to two tonnes. The K-series missiles are named after India’s Missile Man, former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The latest Pralay missile test highlights India's continued efforts to develop advanced indigenous defence systems and reduce dependence on foreign military technology. The country's expanding missile capabilities are expected to strengthen its strategic preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges, particularly involving neighbouring Pakistan and China.