DRDO Flight-Tests Indigenous Quasi-Ballistic Missile Pralay in Odisha
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight-test of the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile 'Pralay' from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Executed as part of user evaluation trials, the test validated the performance of the solid-propellant surface-to-surface weapon system.
What happened
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a flight-test of the indigenously developed quasi-ballistic missile 'Pralay' on November 5, 2026, at approximately 11:10 AM. The test was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, situated off the coast of Odisha. Conducted as part of formal user evaluation trials, this successful test marks a crucial milestone paving the way for the weapon system's imminent induction into the armed forces.
All intended mission objectives were achieved during the trial. The missile's trajectory and flight parameters were monitored, captured, and confirmed through multiple range tracking instruments operated by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The flight-test was witnessed by senior DRDO officials, representatives from domestic defence industries, and members of the armed forces.
Developed primarily by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in partnership with other DRDO laboratories, 'Pralay' is produced with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) acting as the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP). The weapon is a solid-propellant, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile with a designated operational range of 150 km to 500 km. It is engineered to carry conventional warheads weighing between 500 kg and 1,000 kg and features advanced guidance and mid-flight maneuvering capabilities to evade enemy air defence systems.
Important dates
| Consecutive User Evaluation Range Trials | 28 July 2025 to 29 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salvo Launch Off Odisha Coast | December 2025 |
| Flight-Test Conducted | 5 November 2026 |
| Official Confirmation Date | 6 November 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- Research Centre Imarat (RCI) is a premier avionics and missile research laboratory under DRDO, located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is India's primary missile testing site off the coast of Odisha.
- Integrated Test Range (ITR) is a dedicated DRDO facility located at Chandipur, Odisha, providing tracking and validation infrastructure for missile tests.
- Quasi-ballistic missiles follow a low, flattened trajectory rather than a purely parabolic path and can alter course mid-flight to counter hostile interception.
- Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) founded in 1970 and headquartered in Hyderabad.
What candidates should do
- Categorize India's tactical and strategic missiles by propulsion type, launch platform, and strike range.
- Note the institutional division between DRDO development laboratories like RCI and production partners like BDL.
PrepZen analysis
The successful execution of user evaluation trials for Pralay underscores India's push to field a specialized conventional missile capability. In modern operational doctrine, armed forces require conventional precision-strike systems that fill the gap between multi-barrel rocket artillery and strategic long-range ballistic missiles. Operating within a 150 km to 500 km operational bracket, Pralay fulfills this vital tactical requirement.
Unlike standard ballistic missiles that travel on predictable parabolic arcs, quasi-ballistic missiles remain inside lower atmospheric layers and carry out mid-course maneuvering. This trajectory makes detection and interception extremely challenging for anti-ballistic missile radar and air defence batteries. In competitive exams, questions on defence technology commonly focus on missile classification, strike range, warhead capacity, and designated production agencies.
Practice questions
Q1. Which DRDO laboratory served as the primary developer of the 'Pralay' quasi-ballistic missile?
Q2. What is the operational strike range of the indigenous surface-to-surface missile 'Pralay'?
Q3. From which location was the flight-test of the 'Pralay' missile conducted by DRDO in November 2026?
It is an indigenous quasi-ballistic missile.
Test was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
Developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
🎯 Key Point: DRDO successfully flight-tested 'Pralay' quasi-ballistic missile from Odisha.
FAQs
What type of missile is 'Pralay'?
Pralay is an indigenous, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile designed to deliver conventional warheads.
How does a quasi-ballistic missile differ from a standard ballistic missile?
A quasi-ballistic missile follows a significantly flatter trajectory compared to a standard high-arcing ballistic flight and has the ability to maneuver mid-flight, making it difficult for enemy air defence interceptors to destroy.
Which public sector enterprise is the production partner for Pralay?
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) manufactures the missile system as one of the Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP).
What payload capacity does the Pralay missile possess?
Pralay is capable of carrying conventional warheads weighing from 500 kg up to 1,000 kg over its operational range of 150 km to 500 km.
Sources and references
- newsonair.gov.in (newsonair.gov.in) Official
- indiatoday.in (www.indiatoday.in)
- defencestandard.com (defencestandard.com)
- indiatimes.com (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 6 November 2026
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Q2. The Bahamas recently joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 116th member. What is the capital of the Bahamas?
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Q4. Fairfax India Holdings Corporation increased its stake in IIFL Capital Services Ltd. by acquiring an additional 11.22%. What was the total investment made for this acquisition?
Q5. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated the Martyrs' Memorial of the First War of Independence of 1857 in which city?
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