Bhubaneswar: In a landmark achievement, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast, late on Saturday.
Designed to carry multiple payloads over ranges exceeding 1,500 km, the hypersonic missile marks a significant milestone in India’s defense capabilities.
The missile’s performance was tracked by an array of range systems deployed across multiple domains. Data from downrange ship stations confirmed the successful execution of terminal maneuvers and precise impact with a high degree of accuracy.
Indigenously developed at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners, the missile showcases India’s growing self-reliance in advanced military technologies. Senior DRDO scientists and Armed Forces officers witnessed the test flight.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, hailed the flight trial as a “historic achievement” that positions India among a select group of nations possessing such cutting-edge military technology. He congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners for their contributions to this breakthrough.
Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the team for their dedication and innovation, which were instrumental in the mission’s success.
The long-range hypersonic missile represents a major leap in India’s defense capabilities. With its ability to travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and execute advanced terminal maneuvers, the missile offers strategic advantages in terms of precision strikes and rapid response.
This successful trial underscores India’s technological prowess and commitment to bolstering its defense infrastructure. It also reflects the collaborative efforts between DRDO laboratories and Indian industry, paving the way for future innovations in indigenous defense systems.