India has achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities by successfully testing a long-range hypersonic missile. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described this breakthrough as a historic moment for India, underscoring the country’s growing technological strength in advanced weaponry.
Range exceeds 1,500 kilometers
This newly tested hypersonic missile has a remarkable range exceeding 1,500 kilometers and can be launched from air, sea, or land, giving India a robust, versatile strike capability. This milestone represents years of dedicated research and development by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which has been working on hypersonic missile technology for a considerable time.
India’s journey in hypersonic technology marked a significant step forward in 2020 when DRDO successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). Now, with the successful hypersonic missile test, India joins an elite group of nations with this advanced technology.
Hypersonic vs. Other Missile Technologies
Hypersonic missiles are characterized by their exceptional speed, traveling at Mach 5 or five times faster than the speed of sound. This differentiates them from subsonic and supersonic missiles, which travel below or only 2 to 3 times above the speed of sound. While subsonic missiles remain below the speed of sound, supersonic missiles reach up to two to three times that speed.
Hypersonic crosses Earth’s atmosphere
Experts explain that hypersonic missiles can climb to altitudes of around 100 kilometers, crossing Earth’s atmosphere and entering space before descending toward their target. After reaching the cruise phase in space, the missile moves at hypersonic speeds toward its target on Earth. This technology can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, enhancing its strategic value.
Game-changer in modern warfare
With a range estimated at about 1,700 kilometers, India’s hypersonic missile is expected to be a game-changer in modern warfare.
What Makes Hypersonic Missiles Unique
The uniqueness of hypersonic missiles lies not just in their speed but in their advanced maneuverability and low detectability. Unlike ballistic missiles, which create predictable arcs, hypersonic missiles follow an unpredictable trajectory, making them extremely challenging to detect and track.
THADD and Iron-Dome are ineffective
Current anti-missile defense systems, such as the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Israel’s Iron Dome, are ineffective against hypersonic missiles. Both systems are designed to intercept missiles within a range of 250 kilometers, far shorter than the range and speed of hypersonic missiles.
Additionally, even if a hypersonic missile is detected, intercepting it would require a missile capable of matching its high velocity—a challenging feat in itself. A defense system like the Arrow-3, which has a 2,500-kilometer range, would be necessary to attempt interception, making hypersonic missiles difficult to counter.
Implications for India's Defense Strategy
The successful testing of the hypersonic missile represents a significant leap forward for India’s defense capabilities. As the world enters an era where speed, unpredictability, and maneuverability define the cutting-edge of military technology, India’s hypersonic missile enhances its deterrent power and strategic reach, positioning the country as a formidable player in advanced missile technology.
(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)
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