The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024. The test was carried out from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, located off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant advancement in India’s defense capabilities.
Key Features and Achievements:
– Range and Design: The hypersonic missile is designed to deliver a variety of payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 km, catering to the requirements of all branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
– Tracking and Accuracy: The missile’s performance was monitored by multiple range systems deployed across land, sea, and air domains. Data from downrange ship stations confirmed successful terminal maneuvers and highly accurate target impact.
– Indigenous Development: This advanced missile was developed by laboratories under the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO facilities and industry partners.
Leadership and Reactions:
– Presence of Senior Officials: The flight trial was overseen by senior DRDO scientists and Armed Forces representatives.
– Defence Minister’s Response: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the successful test, describing it as a *“historic achievement”* that places India among an elite group of nations capable of developing hypersonic missile technology.
– In a post on X, Singh stated: “India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile. This significant achievement has put our country among select nations with such advanced military technology. I congratulate Team DRDO, our Armed Forces, and Industry partners for this stupendous achievement.”
– Chairman DRDO’s Statement: The Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO also praised the teams involved for their dedication and contribution to this landmark success.
The successful trial of the hypersonic missile marks a transformative step for India’s defense technology, further strengthening its strategic capabilities on the global stage.
