DRDO Flight-Tests the Pralay Missile: India's Quasi-Ballistic Strike Weapon Nears Induction
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested Pralay, a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile, on 5 November 2026 at about 11:10 am. It was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
All test objectives were met. This was confirmed by data from tracking instruments of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs. It was produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), one of the Development-cum-Production Partners.
The test was part of user evaluation trials, tests carried out in front of the armed forces who will use the weapon. The Ministry of Defence said that induction (formal entry into service) is now imminent.
This follows earlier Pralay tests, including two back-to-back tests in July 2025 and a salvo launch (two missiles fired one after another from the same launcher) on 31 December 2025.
Pralay Missile: India's Quasi-Ballistic Surface-to-Surface Missile
Pralay is a short-range missile developed by DRDO that is fired from the ground to hit targets on the ground. It carries a conventional (non-nuclear) warhead. It is called quasi-ballistic because it mostly follows the arc of a ballistic missile, but it flies lower and can change its path mid-flight. That makes it much harder for enemy air defences to track and shoot down.
The 5 November 2026 test is part of the final user trials. With all objectives met, Pralay is close to formal induction, giving India a fast, hard-to-intercept conventional missile for striking targets such as enemy airbases, command centres and supply hubs.
Ballistic Missiles vs Cruise Missiles
Missiles come in two main kinds. A ballistic missile is pushed up by a rocket for a short time, then coasts in a high arc and falls on its target, pulled down by gravity, like a thrown cricket ball. A cruise missile flies like a small unmanned plane: its engine runs almost the whole way, and it stays inside the atmosphere, often flying low. Some new missiles mix features of both.
Pralay sits between the two classic types. It has a ballistic missile's speed and a cruise missile's ability to change course. That is why the Ministry of Defence calls it a quasi-ballistic missile, and why it is valued against modern air-defence systems.
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO, is the Indian government's main body for designing and developing weapons and military technology. It works under the Ministry of Defence. Its scientists create missiles, radars, aircraft systems, tanks, electronic warfare tools, and even food and clothing for soldiers in extreme climates. The aim is simple: India should be able to make its own defence equipment instead of buying it from other countries.
Pralay is a clear example of the DRDO model at work. One of DRDO's missile labs (RCI) designed it, a production partner (BDL) built it, the Integrated Test Range tracked it, and the armed forces are now running user trials before induction. The test shows how the missile base built since the IGMDP is now producing new weapons such as Pralay.
- Test date and time: 5 November 2026, about 11:10 am
- Launch site: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha; tracking by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
- Developer: Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs; producer: Bharat Dynamics Limited (Development-cum-Production Partner)
- Type: quasi-ballistic, surface-to-surface, solid-fuelled, conventional warhead
- Range: about 150 to 500 km; payload: about 500 to 1,000 kg
- Test type: user evaluation trial; induction described as imminent
- Earlier tests: 22 and 23 December 2021 (first flights); 28 and 29 July 2025 (user trials); 31 December 2025 (salvo launch)