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🇮🇳 Trending in India · 6 November 2026

What is the Pralay missile? India's latest quasi-ballistic test explained

India test-fired the indigenously developed Pralay missile off the Odisha coast on 5 November 2026, and the defence ministry said its induction into service is now close.
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What is Pralay?

Pralay is a short-range surface-to-surface missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's main defence research agency. It carries conventional warheads, and its range is given as 150 to 500 km. Its payload capacity is reported as 500 to 1,000 kg.

Why it is called 'quasi-ballistic'

A ballistic missile follows a fixed arc once it leaves the launch point. Pralay is launched vertically like a ballistic missile but follows a low, hyperbolic path, and its warhead can change course in the later stages of flight, somewhat like a cruise missile. This is why it is called quasi-ballistic.

The latest test, 5 November 2026

The flight test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on Thursday, 5 November. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the test was part of user evaluation trials and met all its stipulated objectives. The ministry said that with this success, the induction of the system has become imminent. Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, along with other DRDO labs, developed the missile.

Earlier tests and the technology behind it

DRDO conducted two consecutive flight tests of Pralay on 28 and 29 July 2025 from the same island, to check its maximum and minimum range. Pralay also reuses technologies from DRDO's Prahaar tactical missile and the Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Quick points

  1. A DRDO-built missile

    Pralay is a short-range surface-to-surface missile designed and built by DRDO, with a range of 150 to 500 km and conventional warheads.

  2. What 'quasi-ballistic' means

    It rises vertically like a ballistic missile, but its warhead can manoeuvre in the later part of its flight.

  3. Tested from Kalam Island

    The 5 November 2026 test took place from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

  4. Nearing service

    The defence ministry said the test brings the missile's induction into the armed forces close.

  5. Built on earlier work

    Pralay uses technology from the Prahaar and Sagarika missiles, and it had two range-validation tests in July 2025.

Quick quiz

1. From which location was the Pralay missile test-fired on 5 November 2026?

2. Which organisation developed the Pralay missile?

3. What is the stated range of the Pralay missile?

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