Hypersonic, ballistic missile launches underscore India's weapons prowess

The successful launch of India's first long-range hypersonic missile and the first test of the 3,500km K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a submarine have put the spotlight on the country's growing prowess in indigenously developing advanced weapon systems to strengthen the military's capabilities.

- Rahul Singh

The successful launch of India's first long-range hypersonic missile and the first test of the 3,500km K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a submarine have put the spotlight on the country's growing prowess in indigenously developing advanced weapon systems to strengthen the military's capabilities. This includes achievements ranging from successfully testing the second phase of India's ballistic missile defence system to developing the Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology, and from the first anti-radiation missile Rudram to the supersonic missileassisted release of torpedo (SMART) system to target submarines at long ranges, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday.

The fast-growing array of home-grown weapon systems for the armed forces includes the new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile named Agni P, the quick-reaction surface-to-air missile (QRSAM) system, the extended-range BrahMos surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile, advanced variants of beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, and a new variant of the surface-to-air missile for assured retaliation (SAMAR), the officials said.

On November 17, India announced that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the country's first longrange hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast, a weapon designed to deliver various payloads at ranges greater than 1,500km.

Only the US, Russia and China have developed technologies to field fast-manoeuvring hypersonic missiles that fly at lower altitudes and are extremely hard to track and intercept. Such weapons can travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 5) and penetrate any missile defence.