DRDO Tests Pralay Missile Off Odisha Coast: Key Details

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has reportedly conducted a successful test of the Pralay missile off the Odisha coast. The test took place on November 3, 2026 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur. Reports state that the missile launched from Launchpad No. 3 and successfully destroyed two artificial targets located around 500 kilometers away.

This test marks another major step in India's efforts to strengthen its indigenous missile technology. While media reports detail the success of the mission, the DRDO has yet to release an official statement confirming the specific parameters of this launch.

What Is the Pralay Missile?

Pralay is an indigenous surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile developed by the DRDO. It can strike key military targets at ranges of up to 500 kilometers while carrying multiple types of conventional warheads.

Key technical highlights include:

• Solid-Propellant Engine: Solid fuel allows military units to keep the missile in a ready-to-launch state for long periods and fire it rapidly on short notice.
• Mobile Launch Capabilities: Heavy military trucks carry the launch canisters, allowing forces to change launch locations quickly and avoid fixed targets.
• Domestic Manufacturing: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) support system integration and manufacturing, equipping the missile with advanced guidance and navigation technology.

Why the Quasi-Ballistic Design Matters

Unlike a standard ballistic missile that follows a predictable arching path through space, a quasi-ballistic missile flies on a lower trajectory and manoeuvres actively during flight.

Pralay can adjust its direction while cruising and execute sharp dodges during its final approach to the target. These unexpected turns confuse enemy radar systems and missile defense shields, giving defensive systems very little time to track or intercept the incoming warhead.

Speed, Range, and Operational Significance

Reports indicate that Pralay can reach hypersonic speeds of around Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). At this speed, the missile can travel a distance of 500 kilometers in approximately seven to eight minutes.

Both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force plan to induct Pralay into operational service. Its extreme precision, high speed, and mobility make it an ideal weapon system for deployment along sensitive border zones, including the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Past Flight Tests and Salvo Capabilities

The DRDO has continuously refined the Pralay system through progressive testing phases:

• December 2021: DRDO conducted the initial maiden flight test of the Pralay missile.
• July 2025: Operational teams successfully conducted two developmental tests off the Odisha coast.
• December 2025: The Ministry of Defence announced a landmark salvo launch, successfully firing two Pralay missiles in rapid succession from a single mobile launcher to hit separate targets.

Pralay Missile Specifications Snapshot