- India tests its first long-range hypersonic missile with a range over 1,500 km.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hails the achievement as a “historic moment.”
- Hypersonic missiles, capable of Mach 5 speeds, offer significant military advantages.
India has successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile, placing the country among a select group of nations with this advanced technology. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was launched from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
The missile’s flight, tracked by multiple range systems, confirmed its ability to maneuver accurately and strike targets with precision. This success positions India as a formidable player in the global arms race, particularly in hypersonic technology.
India’s Hypersonic Missile Test Marks Major Defense Milestone
This breakthrough also places India in a select group of nations with the ability to develop such advanced weaponry. Russia, China, and the United States are currently leading the race in hypersonic missile technology, and India’s achievement places it firmly in competition with these superpowers. The missile’s range of over 1,500 km expands India’s reach and provides it with more deterrent power in the region.
The hypersonic missile is expected to play a crucial role in India’s defense strategy, especially in terms of response times and striking precision. The missile’s design includes both maneuverability and speed, allowing it to evade missile defense systems while maintaining high accuracy. This provides India with a significant edge in deterrence capabilities, particularly against regional adversaries.
The missile test also highlights India’s growing self-reliance in defense technology. Developed entirely in-country by the DRDO in collaboration with industry partners, the successful test reflects India’s ambition to become a major player in the global defense sector, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers while enhancing its military capabilities.
India’s successful hypersonic missile test marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s defense evolution, solidifying its position as a major player in the global arms race.
“This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies.” — Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister.