Category: News

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile off the Odisha coast on 5 November 2026. The missile was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island at about 11:10 AM, as part of user evaluation trials.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the test met all its objectives, confirmed by data from range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the scientists, defence personnel and industry partners, calling it another milestone in strengthening India’s domestic defence technology.

What is Pralay?

  • Type: a canisterised, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile.
  • Range: a reported strike range of 150 to 500 kilometres (reported specification of the missile system, not a measurement confirmed for this flight).
  • Speed: reported to reach Mach 5, with a quasi-ballistic trajectory and in-flight manoeuvrability that makes it hard for enemy air defences to intercept.
  • Warhead: designed to carry conventional warheads.
  • Developer: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a development-cum-production partner, manufactured the system.

A quasi-ballistic missile flies on a flatter, lower path than a normal ballistic missile and can change direction during flight, which makes it harder to track and intercept.

Why this test matters

This was a user evaluation trial — a test carried out with the armed forces to check the missile before it enters service. The Ministry of Defence said the missile’s induction into the armed forces is now imminent, though no specific date for formal deployment has been announced.

Earlier trials in July 2025 tested the missile’s performance at the ends of its intended range envelope. The November test confirms the system is ready for the final step before service.

Pralay is part of India’s push to build its own missile systems instead of importing them, and it adds a short-range precision strike option to the Army’s arsenal.

Source: Ministry of Defence / PIB release on the Pralay flight test, 5 November 2026; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on X, 5 November 2026.

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