India has achieved a major milestone in missile technology with the successful flight trial of its first long-range hypersonic missile. The test, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday night, involved launching the missile from a mobile ground-based platform at the Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha. This marked the first time DRDO conducted a maiden trial of an indigenously developed missile during night hours.
The hypersonic missile, designed to carry multiple payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 km, performed flawlessly in its first attempt. It traveled along a predetermined trajectory, with the missile’s subsystems successfully validated and its terminal manoeuvres precisely executed. Tracked by multiple range systems, the missile covered about 1,400 km, demonstrating high accuracy and precision upon impact.
Developed by DRDO’s laboratories in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO facilities and industry partners, the missile represents a significant leap in India’s defense capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the trial a historic achievement, positioning India among a select group of nations with such advanced military technologies. The missile’s hypersonic speed—over Mach 5—makes it difficult to detect and intercept, further strengthening India’s defense and nuclear deterrence capabilities.