The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile Pralay on 5 November 2026.
DRDO Tests Quasi Ballistic Missile Pralay Missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile Pralay on 5 November 2026.
The test was carried out at approximately 11:10 AM from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, located off the Odisha coast.
Test Performance
According to the supplied information, the missile successfully achieved all its designated test objectives. The performance was confirmed through data collected by various range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
The flight test formed part of the user evaluation trials and was witnessed by senior DRDO officials, representatives from the defence industry and members of the Armed Forces.
Indigenous Development
The Pralay missile has been developed indigenously by:
- Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
- Other DRDO laboratories
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), one of the Development-cum-Production Partners, has manufactured the missile system.
Significance
The successful trial represents an important milestone in India’s indigenous missile development programme. It also indicates progress towards the system’s induction into the Armed Forces, with the supplied material describing induction as imminent.
The development strengthens India’s efforts to enhance domestic defence manufacturing and improve its indigenous missile capabilities.
Key Specifications & Capabilities
Payload-Range Tradeoff: It can deliver a heavy 1,000-kg payload up to 350 km, or a lighter 500-kg payload up to the maximum 500-km limit.
Speed: Highly lethal, reaching hypersonic speeds up to Mach 6.1.
Precision Accuracy: Features a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 metres, using state-of-the-art Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and millimeter-wave (MMW) radar imaging/seekers for terminal guidance.
The Strategic Value of “Quasi-Ballistic” Trajectory
Mid-Flight Manoeuvrability: It retains the ability to perform complex manoeuvres while in mid-air.
Air Defence Defiance: This erratic, low-altitude path combined with high speed makes it exceptionally difficult for modern enemy air defence systems to track, intercept, or neutralize.
Operational Deployment & Integration
Manufactured by BDL as the production partner, the missile is completely mobile. It is launched from an Ashok Leyland 12×12 Heavy High-Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL), allowing rapid deployment across rugged border terrains.
