India Hypersonic Missile: India has made a groundbreaking advancement in defense technology by developing a long-range hypersonic missile capable of traveling over eight times the speed of sound, according to defense scientists. They claim this innovation positions India as a leader in global defense capabilities, with no other country possessing such a missile.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently tested the missile, which can deliver both conventional and nuclear warheads over 1,500 km at an impressive speed of nearly 3 km per second. While India is the fourth nation to achieve hypersonic missile technology, it stands out as the first to successfully test a missile with double the range of Russia’s comparable arsenal.
“The hypersonic missile that India now possesses is unique in terms of speed, range, precision and detectability. It is a game-changer and going to play an important role providing an edge to our Armed Forces,” former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy told The New Indian Express.
India Hypersonic Missile Overview
There are two main types of hypersonic missiles: hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles. Hypersonic glide vehicles are launched using rocket boosters and, after separation, travel extremely fast toward their target. Hypersonic cruise missiles use scramjet engines to maintain high speeds throughout their flight and are highly maneuverable.
The missile India has developed is not exactly a hypersonic cruise missile but works in a similar way. It can change direction mid-flight to avoid being detected or intercepted by enemy radar, making it a significant technological achievement.
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India’s DRDO has also successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV), proving air-breathing scramjet technology.
The second-generation BrahMos missile, being developed with Russia, will be a true hypersonic cruise missile with a range of over 1,500 km. India is also working on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology, which will enable long-range air-to-air missiles in the future.
“SFDR will help the country master cutting-edge technology. Once fully developed, India will be the first country to possess such capability,” Reddy added.
