DRDO has successfully completed another flight test of India’s indigenous Pralay quasi-ballistic missile, bringing the system closer to induction into the armed forces. Conducted on November 5 at approximately 11:10 a.m. from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, the trial formed part of user evaluation activities. The Defence Ministry confirmed that all test objectives were achieved. Pralay is a solid-propellant, short-range surface-to-surface missile designed to carry conventional warheads and engage high-value targets in tactical battlefield environments. With an operational range of approximately 150km to 500km and a payload capacity of 500kg to 1,000kg, it can deliver different conventional warhead configurations against military infrastructure and other strategic targets. Its quasi-ballistic design allows in-flight manoeuvres and trajectory adjustments, reducing predictability compared with conventional ballistic missiles and complicating enemy interception efforts. Advanced guidance and navigation systems support precision targeting. The missile was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, alongside other DRDO laboratories, with Bharat Dynamics Limited serving as a development-cum-production partner and manufacturing the system. The November 5 trial was monitored by senior DRDO officials, military representatives and defence industry personnel, with performance data collected by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the participating organisations and described the achievement as another major milestone for India’s indigenous defence capabilities. The successful evaluation represents an important step towards operational deployment, strengthening India’s conventional precision-strike inventory and supporting its broader defence self-reliance objectives.
