India has successfully test-fired its first long-range hypersonic missile, joining an elite group of nations with advanced military capabilities.
At a Glance
- India tested a hypersonic missile on November 16 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island
- The missile is designed to carry various payloads over ranges greater than 1,500 km
- This achievement places India among a select group of nations with hypersonic technology
- The test was described as a “historic achievement” by Indian officials
- The Defense Research and Development Organization manages the hypersonic missile program
India’s Breakthrough in Hypersonic Technology
In a significant advancement for its strategic defense capabilities, India successfully tested a long-range hypersonic missile on November 16. The test, conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha state, marks a major milestone in India’s military technology development. This achievement positions India alongside nations like China, the United States, and Russia in the realm of advanced hypersonic weaponry.
The Indian Defense Ministry hailed the test as a significant step forward in the country’s defense capabilities. The missile, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound, or 3,836 miles per hour) , represents a leap in India’s strategic deterrence. At that speed, a missile could travel from the east coast of the U.S. to the west coast in less than one hour. While details about the program remain limited, its success demonstrates India’s growing prowess in developing sophisticated military technologies.
‘India successfully carries out maiden test of long range hypersonic missile’ https://t.co/T6jVgBUOAa
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 18, 2024
Technical Specifications and Strategic Implications
The newly tested hypersonic missile boasts impressive capabilities. According to official statements, it is designed to carry various payloads over ranges exceeding 1,500 kilometers. The missile’s launch utilized a cold-gas technique from a transporter-erector-launcher vehicle, followed by the ignition of its first stage.
“This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km for the Armed Forces,” the bureau’s statement said.
While specific details about the missile’s design remain classified, it is known to include at least one upper stage with four mid-body strakes and a nose cap on a probe. The exact nature of its reentry system – whether a standard reentry vehicle or a glide vehicle – has not been disclosed, adding to the strategic ambiguity of this new weapons system.
India’s Ascension in Global Defense Technology
This successful test places India among a select group of nations with advanced hypersonic capabilities. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the historic nature of this achievement, highlighting its significance for national security and technological self-reliance.
“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,” Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said.
The development of this hypersonic missile system represents a significant leap from India’s existing Agni missiles. While the Agni series is capable of hypersonic speeds on ballistic trajectories, the new missile likely offers enhanced maneuverability during terminal or glide phases, making it considerably more challenging to intercept.
