India has achieved another milestone in indigenous missile development after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a user evaluation flight-test of the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile on November 5, 2026. The test took place at approximately 11:10 am from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, with all planned objectives successfully achieved.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the missile’s performance was confirmed through data collected by tracking and monitoring instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The successful evaluation brings the missile closer to induction into the Indian Armed Forces.
Pralay has been developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with several other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is among the development-cum-production partners involved in the programme. The latest trial was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, defence industry representatives and personnel from the Indian Armed Forces.
The Pralay missile is a solid-propellant, canisterised quasi-ballistic missile designed to deliver conventional precision strikes against important military targets. It features advanced guidance and navigation systems and can manoeuvre during flight, making its trajectory less predictable for enemy air-defence systems.
The missile has an operational range of approximately 150 to 500 kilometres, depending on its payload configuration. It can carry a payload of up to 1,000 kg over shorter distances, while a lighter 500 kg payload enables it to reach targets at longer ranges. Its mobile launch configuration also provides greater flexibility in transportation and deployment.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces and industry partners for the successful trial. He highlighted the achievement as an important step towards strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities and military preparedness.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who also serves as Chairman of DRDO, congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the programme.
With the successful completion of its user evaluation flight-test, Pralay has moved closer to operational induction into the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The achievement reinforces India’s efforts to develop advanced indigenous weapon systems and strengthen its conventional precision-strike capabilities.