In a landmark achievement, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight trial of the nation’s first long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024. The missile, capable of carrying various payloads over distances greater than 1,500 km, displayed exceptional performance, including successful terminal maneuvers and precise target impact, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
This test marks a significant milestone in India’s quest for advanced missile technology, positioning it among the few nations with long-range hypersonic capabilities.
What Is the Hypersonic Missile?
The hypersonic missile features a delta-winged hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) as its payload, enabling it to perform complex maneuvers and strike with unparalleled precision. Unlike traditional ballistic trajectories, this design allows the missile to evade enemy defenses more effectively. Reports suggest the missile is 14 meters long, weighs under 20 tons, and can be launched from warships or shore batteries, offering strategic flexibility.
Earlier Milestones in Missile Development
Just days before, on November 12, 2024, DRDO successfully tested the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from a mobile launcher. Powered by the indigenous Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE) developed by DRDO, LRLACM boasts a range exceeding 1,000 km.
The LRLACM is versatile, capable of being launched from ground-based platforms, frontline ships using universal vertical launch modules (UVLM), and even submarines. It is part of a family of advanced missile systems developed by DRDO, including air-launched and submarine-launched cruise missiles.
Strategic Implications
The hypersonic missile and LRLACM expand India’s defense arsenal significantly. Both systems are designed for use by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, enhancing India’s long-range strike capabilities. These missiles provide conventional and anti-ship options that exceed the range of the BrahMos missile, which is also being upgraded to reach 900 km.
A Boost for Indigenous Defense Manufacturing
India’s missile development programs underscore its commitment to self-reliance in defense technology. State-owned enterprises such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are key partners in the production of these advanced systems.
With the armed forces already approving procurement worth ₹14,000 crore for LRLACM, including ₹10,000 crore for the Indian Air Force and ₹4,000 crore for the Army, these developments promise to bolster India’s defense infrastructure significantly.
India’s Growing Role in Hypersonic Technology
The successful hypersonic missile test places India in an elite club of nations with advanced missile capabilities, including the United States, Russia, and China. Such systems are critical for modern warfare, offering high-speed, precise, and evasive strike options that are difficult to intercept.
As tensions in the geopolitical landscape persist, these developments not only enhance India’s deterrence capabilities but also solidify its position as a major global defense player.
By integrating indigenous technologies like the STFE and leveraging partnerships within the defense ecosystem, India is not only achieving self-reliance but also pushing the boundaries of innovation in missile technology.
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