New Delhi — In a significant leap forward for its military capabilities, India has successfully conducted a flight test of a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha. This milestone achievement positions India among a select group of nations with the capability to deploy this advanced weaponry, which can strike targets with extreme speed while evading most existing air defense systems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the missile test, described as part of the country’s inaugural long-range hypersonic mission, as a “stupendous” achievement and a “historic moment” for India. The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is engineered to carry various payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers.
“India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting the flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha,” Singh announced on social media platform X. He emphasized that this significant accomplishment has placed India in the ranks of countries possessing critical and advanced military technologies. Hypersonic missiles are capable of traveling at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), which roughly translates to 1,220 kilometers per hour at sea level. Some advanced versions can reach speeds of over 15 Mach, dramatically increasing their effectiveness in combat scenarios. These missiles can be equipped with either conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, making them formidable tools in modern warfare. While Russia and China currently lead the way in hypersonic missile development, the United States is actively working on a range of such weapons as part of an ambitious military program. Other nations, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel, are also pursuing their own hypersonic missile projects.
Defence Minister Singh extended his congratulations to the DRDO, armed forces, and industry partners for this remarkable achievement. The missile test was meticulously tracked by various range systems deployed across multiple domains, ensuring the flight data obtained from downrange ship stations confirmed successful terminal maneuvers and impact with a high degree of accuracy. Developed indigenously at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, the hypersonic missile reflects India’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities through homegrown technology. The successful flight trial was conducted with the oversight of senior DRDO scientists and armed forces officers, marking a proud moment for India's defense sector.
