India Hypersonic Missile Test – India’s advancements in hypersonic missile technology have garnered global attention, particularly following the successful test of a long-range hypersonic missile in November 2024 and a significant scramjet engine test in April 2025. These developments come at a time of heightened India-Pakistan tensions, fueled by the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor in 2025. This article delves into India’s hypersonic missile program, its capabilities, development status, and strategic implications, addressing key aspects such as speed, range, and operational readiness.
With India joining an elite group of nations possessing hypersonic capabilities, the program underscores its growing military prowess in a volatile region.
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India Hypersonic Missile Test: A Strategic Leap Amid Regional Tensions
India Hypersonic Missile
An India hypersonic missile refers to a weapon capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,174 km/h or 3,836 mph), with the ability to maneuver mid-flight to evade missile defense systems.
Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow predictable trajectories, hypersonic missiles combine extreme speed with low-altitude flight and maneuverability, making them difficult to detect and intercept.
India’s hypersonic missiles are designed to carry conventional or nuclear payloads over long distances, enhancing strategic deterrence and strike capabilities against adversaries like China and Pakistan, particularly in light of recent regional tensions.
India Hypersonic Missile Speed
The India hypersonic missile speed is a defining feature, with current systems achieving speeds of Mach 6 or higher.
The long-range hypersonic missile tested in November 2024 reached Mach 6 (approximately 7,408 km/h or 4,602 mph), while the BrahMos-II, under development, is projected to attain Mach 8 (9,877 km/h or 6,136 mph).
These speeds enable rapid strikes, reducing reaction time for adversaries. The April 2025 ground test of a scramjet engine for over 1,000 seconds demonstrated India’s ability to sustain hypersonic propulsion, a critical milestone for future missiles.
India Hypersonic Missile Name
India’s hypersonic missile program includes several named systems, with the most prominent being the Long-Range Hypersonic Missile (LR-HM) and the BrahMos-II. The LR-HM, tested in November 2024, is a surface-to-surface missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The BrahMos-II, a hypersonic cruise missile, is being developed in collaboration with Russia. Additionally, the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) serves as a testbed for hypersonic technologies, paving the way for operational missiles.
The Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) is another variant under development for naval applications.
India Hypersonic Missile Range
The India hypersonic missile range is designed to meet strategic needs, with current systems capable of striking targets over 1,500 km away. The LR-HM, successfully tested in 2024, has a range exceeding 1,500 km, suitable for targeting key assets across South Asia and beyond.
The BrahMos-II is expected to have a similar range, potentially up to 1,500 km, while the LRAShM aims to neutralize naval targets at comparable distances.
This range capability enhances India’s deterrence against regional threats, including Pakistan’s military infrastructure and China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
Table: India Hypersonic Missile Names, Ranges, and Speeds
| Missile Name | Range | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Range Hypersonic Missile (LR-HM) | >1,500 km | Mach 6 | Surface-to-surface |
| BrahMos-II | ~1,500 km | Mach 8 (projected) | Hypersonic cruise missile |
| Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) | >1,500 km | Mach 5+ (estimated) | Anti-ship hypersonic missile |
| Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) | Test platform | Mach 6 | Technology demonstrator |
India Hypersonic Missile Program
The India hypersonic missile program is spearheaded by the DRDO, with contributions from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad and industry partners. Initiated in the 2000s, the program aims to develop indigenous hypersonic weapons to counter regional threats from China and Pakistan.
Key milestones include the establishment of hypersonic wind tunnels (capable of simulating Mach 5–13) and the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) tests.
The program focuses on both hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles powered by scramjet engines, with applications for land, sea, and air forces.
The recent Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor have underscored the urgency of deploying such advanced systems to maintain strategic superiority.
India Hypersonic Missile Development Status 2025
As of 2025, the India hypersonic missile development status 2025 reflects significant progress but ongoing challenges. Key developments include:
- Past Tests: The HSTDV faced setbacks in 2019 but achieved partial success in September 2020, sustaining Mach 6 for 22–23 seconds. A January 2023 test further validated scramjet technology. The November 2024 LR-HM test marked a breakthrough, achieving Mach 6 over 1,500 km with precise terminal maneuvers.
- Current Status: The April 2025 ground test of a scramjet engine for 1,000 seconds, the longest by any nation, positions India to outpace competitors like the US, Russia, and China in air-breathing hypersonic technology. The LR-HM is undergoing further trials, while the BrahMos-II and LRAShM are in advanced development. The DRDO is refining guidance systems and heat-resistant materials to ensure reliability.
- Challenges: Sustaining long-duration hypersonic flight, managing extreme heat, and achieving cost-effective production remain hurdles. The BrahMos-II’s high development costs have delayed progress.
- LR-HM: The November 2024 test validated a cold-launched, containerized missile with a two-stage design (booster and hypersonic sustainer). Further tests in 2025–2026 aim to refine terminal-phase maneuvering.
- BrahMos-II: Showcased at NAVDEX 2025, this scramjet-powered missile is modeled on Russia’s Zircon and targets Mach 8. It requires additional flight tests to confirm performance.
- LRAShM: Designed for anti-ship roles, the LRAShM is undergoing trials for shore- and ship-based launches, aiming to counter naval threats like China’s DF-21D “carrier killer.”
- Infrastructure: India operates 12 hypersonic wind tunnels, with facilities like the Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex supporting speeds up to Mach 13. The IIT Kanpur Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel (S2) aids testing for DRDO and ISRO programs.
These advancements, reported by sources like The Times of India and Business Standard, highlight India’s growing technological maturity amid regional security concerns.
India Hypersonic Missile Operational Status 2025
The India hypersonic missile operational status 2025 indicates that no hypersonic missile is fully operational yet. The LR-HM, successfully tested in November 2024, is in the developmental phase, with additional trials needed before deployment, likely by 2026–2027. The BrahMos-II and LRAShM are also not operational, with induction expected post-2026 pending successful tests. The HSTDV remains a technology demonstrator, not a deployable weapon. India’s focus on indigenous development ensures long-term self-reliance but delays operational readiness compared to Russia and China, which have fielded hypersonic missiles like the Kinzhal and DF-17. The recent India-Pakistan tensions, including the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, have accelerated efforts to operationalize these systems.
India Hypersonic Missile Test 2025
The India hypersonic missile test 2025 refers to the April 2025 ground test of an active-cooled scramjet engine combustor, conducted by the DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad. The test, lasting 1,000 seconds, marked a global record for sustained scramjet combustion, surpassing Russia (77 seconds), the US (240 seconds), and China (600 seconds). This milestone, reported by The EurAsian Times, is a critical step toward developing next-generation hypersonic cruise missiles like the BrahMos-II. The test demonstrated India’s ability to sustain hypersonic propulsion, essential for long-range, maneuverable missiles. It builds on the November 2024 LR-HM test, which achieved Mach 6 over 1,500 km, confirming India’s entry into the elite hypersonic club.
India Hypersonic Missile Development 2025
The India hypersonic missile development 2025 is at a pivotal stage, driven by strategic imperatives and regional tensions. Key updates include:
The Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor have heightened the program’s urgency, with India aiming to deter Pakistan’s potential reliance on Chinese hypersonic technology and counter China’s regional dominance.
Strategic Context: India-Pakistan Tensions
The recent surge in India-Pakistan tensions, triggered by the Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025 and India’s Operation Sindoor, has spotlighted India’s hypersonic missile program. The attack, attributed to Pakistan-based militants, and India’s retaliatory strikes have escalated regional security concerns. Pakistan, lacking indigenous hypersonic capabilities, may seek Chinese assistance, as noted in a CSIS report, potentially acquiring technology akin to China’s DF-17. India’s hypersonic advancements, including the LR-HM and LRAShM, aim to neutralize such threats by providing rapid, precise strike options and enhancing deterrence against Pakistan’s military assets and China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion
India’s hypersonic missile program, marked by the November 2024 LR-HM test and the April 2025 scramjet engine test, positions it among a select group of nations with advanced military technologies. The LR-HM, BrahMos-II, and LRAShM, with ranges exceeding 1,500 km and speeds up to Mach 8, promise to enhance India’s strategic capabilities. While no system is operational in 2025, ongoing development and testing reflect India’s commitment to countering regional threats, particularly from Pakistan and China. Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, India’s hypersonic missiles are poised to play a critical role in ensuring national security and regional stability. Further tests and investments will determine how quickly these game-changing weapons can be deployed.
Disclaimer: Information is based on publicly available data and may not reflect classified developments.
