DRDO Successfully Conducts Flight Test of Indigenous Quasi-Ballistic Missile Pralay

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the quasi-ballistic missile ‘Pralay’ on November 5, 2026. The test was carried out from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha at approximately 11:10 am. According to reports from the PIB and the Ministry of Defence, this flight test was undertaken as part of the user evaluation trials. Data captured by various range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur confirmed that all specified objectives of the test were fully achieved.

This missile has been developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) based in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is one of the partner companies involved in the production and development of this system, having manufactured this specialised missile system. Senior officials from DRDO, representatives from the defence industry, and officers from the armed forces were present during this significant flight test. With this successful test, the induction of this missile system into the Indian armed forces has now become imminent.

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces, and industry partners for this successful flight test. He stated that this missile, equipped with advanced technology, will further strengthen the military's technical capabilities and operational readiness to combat emerging threats. Additionally, the Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated all the teams involved in this successful flight test.

According to a report by The Times of India, Pralay is an advanced solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile. This missile is capable of carrying various types of payloads. Depending on its weight, it possesses an impressive strike range of 150 to 500 kilometres. The most significant feature of this missile is its mobile launch capability, which provides it with tactical flexibility. This capability poses a major challenge to the defence systems of enemy nations.

According to reports from The Hindu and Amar Ujala, this successful test has proven to be a significant milestone in strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that all technical goals have been achieved, which further accelerates India's steps towards self-reliance. The successful testing of this missile will increase the strategic strength of the Indian Army and make border security more robust.

According to background data from Wikipedia, Pralay is a canisterised surface-to-surface, short-range, tactical ballistic missile developed by DRDO. This missile utilised a combination of technology developed for the Prahaar tactical missile and the exo-atmospheric interceptor for the Prithvi defence vehicle. The project for the development of Pralay was approved in March 2015 with a budget of ₹332.88 crore and was ready for induction in 2022.