India Test-Fires Quasi-Ballistic Missile Pralay Off Odisha
India successfully carried out a flight test of its indigenously developed short-range quasi-ballistic missile Pralay off the coast of Odisha on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The tactical surface-to-surface missile was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island at around 11.10 am (1110 hrs) as part of scheduled user evaluation trials conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
According to the Defence Ministry, the trial successfully met all stipulated objectives, with trajectory data validated by range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. Following the performance validation, the ministry said that the induction of the system into the armed forces has become imminent. The Ministry of Defence has cleared the procurement of a regiment of Pralay missiles for the Indian Army and 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian Air Force, according to The New Indian Express. User evaluation trials represent the final evaluation hurdle prior to induction, conducted with armed forces personnel in attendance to verify that the weapon system satisfies military operational requirements, according to The New Indian Express.
Strike Capabilities and Technical Specifications
Pralay is engineered to deliver conventional warheads across an operational strike distance spanning 150 to 500 kilometres. The solid-propellant missile features an adaptable payload capacity between 500 and 1,000 kilograms, allowing it to carry multiple warhead configurations to strike different categories of targets. To ensure high precision, the weapon system incorporates state-of-the-art solid propellant rocket motors alongside advanced guidance and navigation suites developed to guide the trajectory reliably during high-speed atmospheric flight. The two-stage, solid-fuelled Pralay flies lower on a flatter trajectory than conventional ballistic missiles and can manoeuvre mid-flight to evade interceptors, having been developed with an eye on China's Dongfeng-12 missiles, according to The New Indian Express.
Indigenous Research and Industrial Manufacturing
The development of the quasi-ballistic system was spearheaded by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, working in collaboration with other DRDO research laboratories. State-owned defence manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited produced the missile system serving as the primary development-cum-production partner. Senior officials from DRDO, representatives from domestic defence industrial partners, and members of the defence forces witnessed the flight trial from the eastern launch facility as part of the formal evaluation program.
Leadership Commentary and Strategic Preparedness
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the trial outcome in a public statement on social media platform X, describing the test as another significant milestone in strengthening national defence capabilities. Singh highlighted that integrating advanced subsystems into the weapon will raise the armed forces' technological edge and operational readiness when countering emerging regional security challenges. Defence Minister Singh also complimented the DRDO, defence forces, and industrial partners on achieving a seamless flight demonstration.
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the scientific teams, armed forces personnel, and industrial partners involved in the flight test.
Background
Pralay was first tested in December 2021 before undergoing user trials at maximum and minimum ranges and a two-missile salvo firing from a single launcher, according to The New Indian Express.