The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed Pralay surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. The missile was launched from Launch Complex-3 on November 3 and successfully engaged two simulated targets located approximately 500 kilometres away, according to reports of the test.

Source: StartupPedia / DRDO test reports

As a precautionary measure ahead of the launch, authorities evacuated more than 2,500 residents from nearby villages, and a notice to airmen covered the test corridor over the Bay of Bengal, reports said.

Source: Kolkata Today

Pralay is an indigenously developed short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile with a reported strike range of 150 to 500 kilometres. It is designed to carry different types of warheads against different targets, giving the armed forces a conventional precision-strike option below the strategic-missile class.

Source: Vajiram & Ravi current affairs

The missile has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, in collaboration with several other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners, as part of India's push for self-reliance in missile technology.

Source: Vajiram & Ravi current affairs

500 kmMaximum reported strike range
2Simulated targets engaged in the test
2,500+Residents evacuated as a precaution
150–500 kmPralay's reported range band

According to The India Cover, the Army has sought the missile for deployment along the western and northern borders, and the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the purchase of 120 Pralay missiles. The publication described Pralay as among the deadliest conventional missiles set to be deployed on the Pakistan border.

Source: The India Cover

The Pralay test came a day after DRDO carried out three successful tests of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the same Chandipur range, The India Cover reported, underlining a busy week of indigenous missile trials off the Odisha coast.

Source: The India Cover

Why this test matters

A successful 500 km-class quasi-ballistic strike, with two simulated targets engaged in one launch, validates the navigation and terminal accuracy Pralay needs before it can move closer to induction with the armed forces.

DRDO has not, in the reports cited here, announced a date for Pralay's induction. Further user trials typically precede any formal entry into service, and Awaaz Punjab will update this story when an official induction timeline is announced. Sources: StartupPedia, Vajiram & Ravi, Kolkata Today and The India Cover, reporting the DRDO test of November 3.