India Successfully Test-Fires Long-Range Hypersonic Missile; Rajnath Describes It As 'Historic'

New Delhi: In a major boost to its military prowess, India has successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off coast of Odisha, an achievement that has put country in a select group of nations having weapon that can strike with extreme speed and eve most air-defence systems.

Defence Minister Hails Historic Achievement

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described missile test on Saturday under country's first long-range hypersonic mission as a "stupendous" achievement and a "historic moment". missile, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to carry various paylos for ranges greater than 1,500 km, an official reout said.

Significance of Hypersonic Missile Test

"India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off--coast of Odisha," Singh said on X. "This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and vanced military technologies," he said.

Generally, hypersonic missiles, capable of carrying conventional explosives or nuclear warhes, can fly in range of five times speed of sound (Mach 5, which is roughly 1,220 kilometres) per hour at sea level.

However, some vanced versions of hypersonic missiles can even fly at speed of more than 15 mach.

Global Progress in Hypersonic Missile Development

At present, Russia and China are way ahe in developing hypersonic missiles, while United States is in process of developing a range of such weapons under an ambitious programme. Several or countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran and Israel, are also pursuing projects to develop hypersonic-missile systems.

Comparison with Ballistic Missiles

Hypersonic missiles are considered highly manoeuvrable and agile as y can change course mid-way. Ballistic missiles, which can also fly at Mach 5, have limited manoeuvrability in view of ir predetermined trajectories.

Congratulatory Remarks from Defence Leership

Singh congratulated DRDO, armed forces and industry for "stupendous" achievement. defence ministry said missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains.

Successful Flight-Test of Indigenously Developed Missile

" flight data obtained from down range ship stations confirmed successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with high degree of accuracy," it said. This missile has been indigenously developed by laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile complex, Hyderab, along with various or DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

flight-trial was carried out in presence of senior DRDO scientists and officers of armed forces. flight-test of missile comes at a time when India is focusing on bolstering its combat capabilities against backdrop of China's aggressive military muscle-flexing.

Focus on Next-Generation Weapon Systems

In last few years, India has been focusing on development of next-generation weapon systems, such as drones, hypersonic missiles and equipment with application of artificial intelligence.

DRDO has alrey developed a range of missiles, including "Prithvi", "Akash" and "Agni".