The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on November 5, 2026. The trial, carried out at 1110 hours as part of user evaluation trials, met all stipulated objectives, according to data captured by range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
Keywords: Pralay missile, DRDO flight test, quasi-ballistic missile India, Odisha missile test, indigenous defence capabilities, user evaluation trials, Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the success in a statement on X, noting that the test marked another significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities. “DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay Missile off the coast of Odisha today at 1110 hrs. The test was conducted as part of user evaluation trials and successfully met all the stipulated objectives, as validated by data captured through various range instruments,” he posted.
Pralay is a canisterised, solid-propellant surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a development-cum-production partner, manufactured the system. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable high-arc trajectory, Pralay operates on a lower atmospheric path and can execute mid-flight and terminal manoeuvres, enhancing its ability to evade interception.
The missile has a strike range of 150 to 500 kilometres and can attain terminal speeds of up to Mach 6.1. It is designed to carry conventional warheads of varying configurations, with payload capacity typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 kg, enabling precision strikes against a range of targets.
Senior DRDO officials, representatives from the armed forces and industry partners witnessed the launch. The Ministry of Defence stated that the successful trial has made the induction of the system into the armed forces imminent.
This achievement reinforces India’s progress under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in developing advanced tactical strike systems. Pralay’s combination of speed, manoeuvrability and indigenous production strengthens operational preparedness against emerging threats along the country’s borders. With user evaluation progressing successfully, the missile is now positioned for early induction, further enhancing the technological edge and self-reliance of the Indian armed forces.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
