DRDO Successfully Tests Pralay Missile: Range, Features and Strategic Significance

On 5th November, 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully conducted flight trials for its indigenously developed Pralay quasi-Ballistic Missile. It was launched from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island near Odisha, around 11:10am, the missile met all mission objectives. It marks a step closer for the missile to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces.

What is the Pralay Missile?

The Pralay Missile is an indigenously developed canister-based, short-range surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile for tactical and battlefield use.

It has features of both ballistic missiles and manoeuvring capabilities. Therefore, the trajectory of the missile cannot be easily predicted compared to a standard Ballistic Missile.

This missile will provide the Indian Armed Forces a quick-response precision strike capability to hit key military targets.

Development and Production

• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Main Development centre: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
• Contributor: Other DRDO laboratories.
• Produced by: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). One of the Development-cum-Production Partners.
• Missile type: Short-range quasi-ballistic.
• First flight trial: 22nd December, 2021.
• Most recent trial: 5th November, 2026.

As the missile has been developed using technologies from DRDO’s Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and Prahaar missiles, Bharat Dynamics Limited, one of the Development-cum-Production Partners have manufactured the missile.

Key Features of the Pralay Missile

1. Range and Payload.

• Range – Around 150km-500km.
• Payload – Missile has been designed to carry conventional warheads.
• The missile can be used to target tactical and battlefield targets which can include key military sites.
• There are various figures about the payload on the Pralay Missile in published sources. However, it has a known range of 150 km- 500 km.

2. Solid Fuel Propulsion.

• Uses a solid propellant rocket motor. This allows quicker preparation for launch, storage, and deployment.

3. Mobile Launch System.

• Can be deployed using a mobile road-based canister launch system.

4. Quasi-ballistic.

• Unlike a standard Ballistic Missile, this missile has manoeuvring capabilities.
• The lower flight profile of the missile means it is harder to lock onto and intercept by enemy air defence systems.

5. Navigation System.

• The missile has an advanced navigation and guidance system. Technical details from DRDO say it has inertial navigation and terminal guidance systems.

6. Conventional Warheads.

• The missile can be equipped with various conventional warhead configurations to attack various battlefield targets.