New Delhi: India has successfully flight-tested its first long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha, marking a major milestone in the country’s military capabilities. The test, conducted on Saturday, propels India into a select group of nations capable of developing and deploying hypersonic weapons, which can travel at extreme speeds and evade most air defence systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a “stupendous achievement” and described it as a “historic moment” for India. In a statement on social media platform ‘X’, Singh noted that the successful flight trial from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast demonstrates the nation’s growing expertise in advanced military technologies. “This significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies,” Singh said.
The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to carry various payloads over ranges greater than 1,500 km. It is capable of reaching speeds greater than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), and some advanced versions of hypersonic missiles can exceed Mach 15.
Hypersonic missiles, which can carry conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, have been a key area of focus for several nations. While Russia and China are currently ahead in the development of these weapons, the United States is also pursuing an ambitious programme to build a range of hypersonic systems. Other countries such as France, Germany, Japan, Iran, and Israel are also working on similar technologies.
The Defence Ministry confirmed that the missile was tracked by various range systems, and data obtained from downrange ship stations confirmed successful terminal maneuvers and impact with a high degree of accuracy. The missile was developed indigenously by the DRDO’s laboratories, including the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, along with multiple other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.
Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian armed forces, and the industry for their combined efforts in achieving this breakthrough. The flight trial was conducted in the presence of senior DRDO scientists and armed forces officers.
