India stands on the brink of crafting a new chapter in defense history. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is prepping to launch an indigenous hypersonic missile, propelling India into the league of the world's fastest and deadliest missiles.
This missile boasts an incredible speed of Mach 5 (around 6120 km/h), set to elevate India to new military heights on the global stage. Recently, Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, a senior DRDO scientist and former CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, confirmed that the hypersonic engine was tested successfully a few weeks ago and will soon be revealed to the world.
What is a Hypersonic Missile?
Hypersonic missiles are game changers, flying at speeds five times or more than the speed of sound. Their speed can range from Mach 5 to Mach 25 (6,120 km/h to 24,140 km/h). They are almost invincible to current air defense systems due to their extraordinary speed, mid-flight maneuverability, and ability to fly at lower altitudes.
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There are two types of hypersonic missiles...
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV):
Launched into the upper atmosphere by rockets, these glide swiftly towards their target. Mid-flight alterations make them a tracking nightmare.
Hypersonic Cruise Missile:
Powered by scramjet engines (supersonic combustion ramjet), these cruise at lower altitudes with impressive accuracy, combining air with fuel for combustion at high speeds.
Source: aajtak
The upcoming DRDO missile, developed under the BrahMos-II program, will be an hypersonic cruise missile equipped with a homegrown scramjet engine.
DRDO's Recent Milestone
On May 16, 2025, Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra announced at a media event that DRDO had recently achieved successful tests of a hypersonic engine. Conducted on April 25, 2025, at the Hyderabad Scramjet Connect Test Facility, the ground test logged over 1,000 seconds (more than 16 minutes) of continuous operation—an industry-first duration. This places India alongside the U.S., Russia, and China in hypersonic technology.
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Dr. Mishra stated that the hypersonic engine test was conducted just a few weeks ago. A hypersonic missile reaching speeds up to Mach 5 will soon be launched. DRDO's development of all technologies in BrahMos is indigenous, including the creation of the largest launcher in the world.
This missile's development is underway at DRDO's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, with collaborations across various laboratories and private sector partners. Its range exceeds 1,500 km, capable of carrying diverse payloads, making it a versatile asset to the Indian armed forces.
Source: aajtak
Technical Features
The DRDO hypersonic missile system incorporates various advanced technologies...
Indigenous Scramjet Engine: This engine is engineered to sustain hypersonic velocities, featuring advanced thermal management, stability, and combustion stability (propulsion control). It uses ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) known for handling extreme temperatures.
Endothermic Fuel: In collaboration with private industry partners, DRDO has developed indigenous fuel that assists in cooling the engine and enhancing ignition. This fuel elevates the missile's efficiency and performance.
High Speed and Agility: The missile exhibits Mach 5 speed with mid-flight directional change capabilities, making interception nearly impossible. It flies at lower altitudes, complicating radar detection.
Extended Range: The missile, with a range over 1,500 km, can destroy both tactical and strategic targets. It supports conventional and nuclear warheads.
Indigenous Technology: All primary components, like the launcher, engine, and navigation system, are indigenously developed by DRDO.
Source: aajtak
Strategic Importance
The hypersonic missile's introduction is a game-changer for India's defense capabilities. The major advantages include...
Lethal Precision: Its high speed and agility rank it as the primary choice to dismantle enemy strategic and nuclear sites, furnishing Indian forces with prompt and accurate strike options.
Bypassing Air Defenses: Unpredictable flight paths and low-altitude flights render it almost invincible against current missile defense systems, particularly beneficial against nations reliant on advanced defenses.
Regional Power Balance: This step could redefine military power dynamics in South Asia, strengthening India’s strategic positioning against China and Pakistan.
Global Reputation: With this achievement, India joins the ranks of select countries (Russia, China, USA) with hypersonic technology, highlighting its technical and military prowess on the global stage.
Impact on China and Pakistan
The development of India's hypersonic missile poses a strategic blow to both China and Pakistan.
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China
Technical Challenge:
China possesses hypersonic missiles like DF-ZF and Starry Sky-2, but India's indigenous scramjet engine and record-breaking 1,000-second test pose a challenge to China's technological progress. This missile can target Chinese military bases near Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Regional Impact:
The deployment of such a missile can curb China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, threatening Chinese naval vessels and coastal targets.
Strategic Concern:
This development compels China to upgrade its missile defense systems and invest more in hypersonic technology, potentially escalating the regional arms race.
Source: aajtak
Pakistan
Military Imbalance:
Pakistan lacks a native hypersonic missile program. Although recently it claimed the Chinese-made CM-400AKG to be hypersonic, skepticism abounds regarding its reliability. India's hypersonic missile can easily penetrate Pakistani air defense systems.
Strategic Pressure:
The missile can swiftly and accurately target key Pakistani military sites like Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, affecting its strategic depth.
Chinese Dependency:
India's progress may push Pakistan to rely more heavily on Chinese technology for its defense, diminishing its autonomy.
BrahMos-II and Future Projects
DRDO’s hypersonic missile is part of the BrahMos-II program, a joint venture by India and Russia under BrahMos Aerospace. BrahMos-I, the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile (Mach 3.5, 650 km range), has already proven its reliability.
BrahMos-II aims for enhancements, targeting Mach 7-8 velocity and a 1,500 km range. Despite its inspiration from Russia's 3M22 Zircon missile, India will employ its own scramjet engine, reducing reliance on Russia.
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Other DRDO Hypersonic Ventures Include...
Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV):
Featuring an unmanned scramjet-powered vehicle, it’s aimed at pioneering hypersonic missiles and cost-effective satellite launches. Its successful 2020 test sustained Mach 6 speed for 23 seconds.
Shaurya Missile:
A medium-range ballistic missile that travels surface-to-surface, capable of reaching Mach 7.5 speeds and 1,900 km range carrying nuclear or conventional warheads. It was integrated into the Strategic Forces Command in 2020.
Future Plans
DRDO aims to elevate BrahMos-II to speeds of up to Mach 8, furthering its range. HSTDV will be repurposed for civilian uses, including affordable satellite launches. DRDO’s hypersonic missile signifies a revolutionary leap for India's defense and technical abilities.
It not only solidifies India's standing as a global military power but also reshapes regional power dynamics. For China and Pakistan, the missile represents a strategic challenge, prompting reconsiderations of their military strategies and defense systems.
India’s move strengthens the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Make in India initiatives. It illustrates India’s position among the world’s most advanced military technologies. As Dr. Mishra eloquently stated, our missiles are the finest, boosting the morale of Indian armed forces and underlining India’s technological and strategic credibility on the world stage.
