India unveiled a groundbreaking achievement in defense technology on January 26, 2026, during its 77th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) debuted the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LR-AShM). Mounted on a mobile launcher along Kartavya Path, this indigenous DRDO hypersonic missile symbolized India’s bold stride toward self-reliance amid intensifying global arms competition, drawing widespread applause from spectators and dignitaries.
Tailored for the Indian Navy’s coastal batteries, the LR-AShM targets both stationary and mobile enemy vessels with exceptional precision over a 1,500 km range. Its two-stage solid rocket motor delivers hypersonic propulsion—the first stage boosts launch, the second accelerates to average Mach 5 speeds peaking at Mach 10—before transitioning to an unpowered glide phase with evasive maneuvers that confound enemy defenses. Equipped with homegrown avionics and sensors, it flies low to evade radar detection, rendering traditional interceptors ineffective, while future variants may extend reach to 3,500 km for enhanced deterrence.
A pivotal test flight off Odisha’s coast on November 16, 2024, confirmed its capabilities, paving the way for this high-profile parade showcase alongside Akash missiles, Dhanush artillery, and Arjun tanks. The display reinforces India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, positioning the nation as a defense innovator against hypersonic advancements by powers like the US, Russia, and China, while strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean. With the DRDO hypersonic missile now in the spotlight, rapid integration into service promises to elevate India’s strategic posture significantly.
