India has successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile, exhibiting its defense preparedness and placing itself among the select group of nations that possess advanced military technologies.
The missile, developed by the country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its partners, is designed to carry payloads over 930 miles (1,500 kilometers), according to a government statement.
The test on Saturday, conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha’s eastern coast, demonstrated terminal maneuvers and accurate impact, the statement added.
A significant milestone
The missile was monitored by various range systems across multiple domains, with data from down-range ship stations confirming successful terminal maneuvers and precise impact, DRDO announced.
“@DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha,” the Indian defense authorities posted on X.
According to India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the test of the hypersonic missile marks a significant milestone for the nation. “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. I congratulate Team @DRDO_India, our Armed Forces and the Industry for stupendous achievement,” Singh wrote on X.
The latest achievement also aligns with India’s ongoing momentum in space exploration. In August 2023, the country made history by becoming the first nation to land a spacecraft on the lunar south pole through the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Remarkably, this mission was accomplished with a budget of just $75 million, underscoring India’s capability to deliver high-impact results with limited resources.
Hardest weapons to intercept
The global race for hypersonic weapons includes efforts by several nations, including India. China, Russia, and the US are working to develop advanced long-range missiles.
Hypersonic missiles represent some of the most advanced technologies in modern warfare, capable of reaching speeds between five and 25 times the speed of sound, exceeding 3,850 miles (6,200 kilometers) per hour.
Hypersonic missiles are of two main types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles. HGVs are launched with a rocket booster, similar to ballistic missiles. After reaching a set altitude, the vehicle detaches and glides toward its target, maneuvering mid-flight to evade interception.
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, on the other hand, rely on scramjet engines to maintain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight, traveling at lower altitudes and also offering significant maneuverability.
The feature of maneuverability allows them to change trajectory mid-flight, making their paths highly unpredictable. Coupled with their incredible speed and ability to fly at lower altitudes than traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons become exceptionally challenging to track and intercept.
