India has successfully tested a domestically developed long-range hypersonic missile, achieving a significant milestone in military advancement, the government announced on Sunday. This breakthrough places India among a select group of nations, including Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, that possess this cutting-edge technology.
The global race for hypersonic weaponry has seen countries like India push for advancements in long-range missile systems, alongside major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China.
Developed by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with industry partners, the missile is capable of carrying payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), according to an official statement.
“The flight data … confirmed the successful terminal maneuvers and impact with a high degree of accuracy,” the government said, detailing the test-firing conducted on Saturday from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha state.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as “historic” in a social media post, emphasizing that it positions India among an elite group of nations with such advanced technological capabilities.
