DRDO-developed missile capable of speeds up to Mach 10.

Synopsis India's maritime defence received a significant boost with the successful second flight test of its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile. The DRDO-developed missile, capable of speeds up to Mach 10, was tested off the Odisha coast. This advancement extends India's reach into deep ocean zones. The missile's capabilities are designed to deter regional rivals. In a major boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, the country has successfully carried out the second flight test of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM). The test took place off the Odisha coast on Friday, sources told TOI. With a strike range exceeding 1,500 km significantly extending India’s reach into deep ocean zones and speeds touching Mach 10, the missile marks a substantial leap in strategic capability, according to Surendra Singh's Times of India report. The second trial focused on validating its two-stage hypersonic glide vehicle configuration. Its capabilities are expected to draw attention from regional rivals such as China and Pakistan. While there has been no official statement from DRDO or the defence ministry, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shared a video of the test on its official X account, stating: “India's hypersonic edge just got sharper. DRDO’s LR-AShM Phase-II test off the Odisha coast signals a new era. Reflecting the vision of PM Modi for a self-reliant, future-ready India, it marks a powerful leap in indigenous defence innovation.” Though capable of reaching Mach 10 at peak, the missile sustains an average speed of around Mach 5 during its glide phase—fast enough to evade advanced ship-based radar and interception systems. Designed for versatility, the LR-AShM can carry multiple payloads over distances beyond 1,500 km. Built on a two-stage solid rocket system with a hypersonic glide vehicle, it delivers what the defence ministry earlier described as a “carrier-killer” capability during its first test on November 14, 2024. Beyond sheer speed, the missile incorporates unpredictable flight paths, including low-altitude, radar-evading trajectories and skipping manoeuvres. It is capable of striking both stationary and moving targets—such as aircraft carriers—using indigenously developed sensors for precision targeting in the terminal phase. The system was showcased publicly for the first time during the Republic Day parade on January 26 this year. Live Events The LR-AShM programme represents a significant milestone in India’s push for defence self-reliance. It has been developed by laboratories under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with multiple DRDO labs and industry partners. (With TOI inputs) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Natural diamonds lose sheen globally, in India they’re still ‘forever’ When flight costs more than cure: Air ambulance becomes an Iran war casualty SpiceJet desperately hunts for lifeline, starts job cuts 98 million SIP accounts power Indian equities. What if they stop? Locker to exchange: How India can become a global gold hub 1 2 3

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