Reports describe a Pralay missile test off Odisha; official details remain awaited

News reports describe a Pralay quasi-ballistic missile test off Odisha on 3 November 2026. The launch took place from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. Aaj Tak reports a test at Chandipur but notes that independent official confirmation of the specific test details was not available. The system’s published range must not be confused with a measured result from this launch.

When this article was written, DRDO and the Ministry of Defence had not released a detailed official statement. Some outlets said confirmation of which missile was fired was still awaited. The performance figures below therefore come from news reports, not an official release.

The missile

Pralay is a solid-propellant, road-mobile quasi-ballistic missile designed for conventional battlefield strikes. It is a "quasi-ballistic" weapon because it can manoeuvre during flight instead of following a fixed ballistic arc. That makes its path harder to predict and harder for missile-defence systems to intercept. It can carry several types of conventional warhead.

The Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad led development, working with other DRDO laboratories. Images from Republic Day parade rehearsals show Pralay carried on Ashok Leyland 12×12 high-mobility vehicles, a configuration designed for fast deployment and launch.

Why it matters

Pralay gives India a conventional precision-strike missile that sits between artillery rockets and longer-range strategic missiles. Its role is to hit high-value targets such as air bases, command posts and logistics hubs without crossing the nuclear threshold. A manoeuvring, road-mobile, quick-launch weapon fills a gap that many armed forces are now trying to close.

Pralay is designed and built in India, using solid-propellant motors, guidance and navigation developed by DRDO and its industry partners. That supports the government's goal of reducing reliance on imported strike weapons. Industrial production, procurement and service induction are separate milestones that require their own confirmation.

We will update this report when DRDO or the Ministry of Defence releases official details of the test.

Sources

• https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2117659092546465856
• https://startuppedia.in/trending/drdo-test-fires-indigenous-pralay-missile-off-odisha-coast-12782783
• https://indianmasterminds.com/news/defence/drdo-pralay-missile-test-500km-range-248054/
• https://www.thedefensenews.com/India-Successfully-Tests-Pralay-Quasi-Ballistic-Missile-with-500-km-Range/
• https://defence.newsd.in/industry/drdo/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-pralay-missile-off-odisha-coast
• https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/national/drdo-successfully-tests-pralay-quasi-ballistic-missile-from-odisha-coast/article-42763
• https://www.aajtak.in/defence-news/story/india-successfully-tests-pralay-quasi-ballistic-missile-off-odisha-coast-dskc-2687480-2026-11-03
• https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/india/2025/india-251231-india-pib02.htm
• https://www.newsonair.gov.in/drdo-conducts-launch-of-two-pralay-missiles-in-rapid-succession-from-odisha-coast