In a landmark achievement for India’s defence capabilities, the country successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha. This advanced missile places India among a select group of nations equipped with technology capable of delivering precision strikes at extreme speeds while evading most air defence systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the accomplishment on Saturday, describing it as a “stupendous” achievement and a “historic moment.” Speaking about the successful flight trial conducted under India’s first long-range hypersonic mission, Singh said on the platform ‘X’, “India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.”
The missile, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has a range of over 1,500 km and is designed to carry multiple payloads. According to the defence ministry, the missile was tracked using various range systems across multiple domains. “The flight data obtained from down range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal maneuvers and impact with high degree of accuracy,” stated the ministry.
Hypersonic missiles, known for their ability to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,125 km/h), represent cutting-edge military technology. Some advanced variants can reach speeds of Mach 15 or more, making them nearly impossible to intercept using current air defence systems. These missiles can carry both conventional explosives and nuclear warheads, significantly enhancing their strategic importance.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind the test, Singh congratulated DRDO scientists, armed forces personnel, and industry partners for their role in the mission. “This significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies,” he said.
Currently, Russia and China lead in hypersonic missile development, while the United States is advancing its own ambitious programmes. Other countries such as France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel are also working on hypersonic missile projects, underscoring the global race to master this transformative technology.
The missile tested by India was developed at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with various DRDO laboratories and private industry partners. Senior DRDO scientists and armed forces officers were present during the flight trial, underscoring the strategic importance of the mission.
With this successful test, India has demonstrated its growing expertise in advanced defence technology, boosting its deterrence capabilities and strengthening its position in global military rankings.