India Long Range Anti-Ship Missile: At the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, India will display the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, also called LRAShM. This missile is made in India and can fly at very high speed. It is built to hit enemy ships far away in the sea.
The display also sends a strong message about India’s push for self-made defence weapons. The timing matters because security challenges are rising in the Indian Ocean Region and the wider Indo-Pacific area.
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What is Long Range Anti-Ship Missile?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO, developed the LRAShM at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex. This missile is a hypersonic weapon, which means it travels much faster than normal missiles. It uses a boost-glide system that helps it reach extreme speed and then glide toward its target.
The missile is designed to attack big and valuable naval targets like aircraft carriers, destroyers and other warships. It can hit these targets from very long distances, much farther than older anti-ship missiles.
Speed, Range, and Smart Guidance
One of the strongest features of the LRAShM is its very high speed. The missile can fly at Mach 10, which means it moves ten times faster than sound. Because of this speed, enemy ships get almost no time to react or escape. Most defence systems also struggle to stop such a fast missile.
The missile can hit targets up to 1,500 km away. This long distance helps India protect its seas far from the shore. The LRAShM also uses smart guidance systems. It has special radar and tracking tools that help it find and hit fast-moving ships very accurately.
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Because of these features, the LRAShM stands among the most advanced hypersonic anti-ship missiles in the world, similar to systems being developed by the United States, Russia, and China.
India Long Range Anti-Ship Missile: Important
India has a long coastline and depends heavily on sea routes for trade and energy. The LRAShM strengthens India’s ability to stop enemies from controlling key sea areas. It supports India’s sea denial strategy, which focuses on blocking hostile forces from operating freely in the Indian Ocean Region.
Naval competition in the Indo-Pacific has grown fast in recent years. Many countries are increasing their naval power and building strong anti-access systems. The LRAShM helps India counter these moves and maintain balance in the region. Its presence improves deterrence and reduces the chances of conflict by making any attack costly for an enemy.
Indian scientists used advanced materials and special heat-resistant parts that can survive temperatures above 2,000°C. They also designed lightweight structures so the missile can fly smoothly at hypersonic speed for long distances.
