Pralay missile test by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) met all its objectives on Thursday, and the Ministry of Defence said the weapon's induction has now become imminent.

The quasi-ballistic missile was fired at around 1110 hrs from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. Test data captured by instruments of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, confirmed the result, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Pralay missile test was part of user evaluation trials

Senior DRDO officials, industry representatives and Defence Forces members watched the launch. In these trials, the users assess the weapon.

Thursday's Pralay missile test added to a busy year on the island. The Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile flew from it in June, followed by the maiden Kusha test in July.

Defence Minister says missile will lift preparedness against emerging threats

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, the Defence Forces and industry partners. He said the missile, equipped with advanced technologies, will further enhance the technological capabilities and operational preparedness of the military against emerging threats. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is also Chairman of DRDO, congratulated the teams.

Induction call follows nearly five years of flight tests

Pralay first flew on December 22, 2021. It flew again the next day with a heavier payload.

Two more flights on July 28 and 29, 2025 validated its maximum and minimum range. The then DRDO Chairman, Dr Samir V Kamat, said that the completed phase-1 tests paved the way for induction in the near future.

The next test was a salvo. On December 31, 2025, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same launcher, and both followed their intended paths. Dr Kamat then spoke of "imminent readiness of induction of the system with the users". Thursday's statement is plainer: induction "has become imminent".

Pralay carries conventional warheads to a range of up to 500 km

Pralay is a solid-propellant, conventional surface-to-surface missile fired from a mobile launcher. According to DRDO, it has a range of 150 to 500 km and can carry several types of warheads.

Flatter flight path makes it harder to intercept

A quasi-ballistic missile generally flies lower than a ballistic missile and can manoeuvre in flight, giving air defences less time.

Earlier reporting had said around 120 missiles were cleared for the Indian Air Force in late 2022, with the Indian Army's approval for a regiment following in 2023.

Bharat Dynamics has produced the indigenous system

Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, developed the missile indigenously along with other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited, one of the Development-cum-Production-Partners, has produced the system, the ministry said. DRDO named Bharat Electronics Limited as a production partner on the programme during the December 2025 trial. Bharat Dynamics also signed a Rs 810.79 crore SAT-SAAW contract for the Indian Air Force in September.