The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that its Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), a hypersonic glide vehicle tested in November 2024, achieved a remarkable speed of Mach 10. This significantly exceeds initial estimates, which placed the missile's speed in the Mach 6-7 range.
The LRAShM, which underwent a successful flight test on November 16, 2024, from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, was already recognized as India's first long-range hypersonic missile. It is reported to have a range of over 1,500 kilometers.
The missile was developed in India by DRDO's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, with contributions from other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.
It uniquely combines the high speed of a ballistic missile with the maneuverability of a cruise missile.
During the test, which was monitored by various tracking systems, the LRAShM demonstrated its ability to perform maneuvers in its final stage and hit its target with extreme precision.
Initial analyses by defense experts had estimated the LRAShM's speed at between Mach 6 and Mach 7. This was based on the performance of its predecessor, the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which reached Mach 6 in 2020.
The HSTDV, powered by a scramjet engine, served as a foundational platform for India's hypersonic technology development. However, the LRAShM's achievement of Mach 10 represents a major advancement. The DRDO's confirmation underscores the advanced technology incorporated into the weapon.
A speed of Mach 10 translates to approximately 12,348 kilometers per hour (or about 3.43 kilometers per second). This positions the LRAShM among the world's fastest hypersonic systems, comparable to Russia's Kinzhal (also reported at Mach 10) and China's DF-ZF (estimated at Mach 10-12).
Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) like the LRAShM differ from traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed trajectory. HGVs are launched on a rocket, ascend to the upper atmosphere, and then glide towards their target in an unpredictable manner.
This combination of exceptional speed and maneuverability makes them extremely difficult to intercept with existing air defense technologies.
The significant difference between the predicted and confirmed speed of the LRAShM indicates substantial breakthroughs in several key areas. These likely include advancements in propulsion systems, thermal management techniques, and the use of advanced materials.
Such materials, potentially including sophisticated ceramic thermal barrier coatings and composite structures, are essential for withstanding the intense heat and stress experienced at such high velocities.
The LRAShM's capabilities are not limited to its speed. It is designed as a versatile weapon, capable of carrying various payloads, including both conventional and nuclear warheads, and targeting both ships and land-based installations.
Its primary function as an anti-ship missile, with a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers, provides the Indian Navy with a powerful tool for maintaining control in the Indian Ocean Region. This is particularly important given the increasing presence of potentially adversarial navies, such as China's growing carrier fleet.
The missile's radio frequency (RF) seeker, designed to operate effectively at hypersonic speeds, ensures accurate strikes against moving targets, such as warships, a capability that very few weapons possess.
The LRAShM significantly strengthens India's strategic deterrence capabilities, particularly in the context of ongoing rivalries with China and Pakistan.
China's hypersonic arsenal, including the DF-17 (believed to reach Mach 10-12) and reports of a new air-to-air hypersonic missile tested in 2025 with a 1,000-kilometer range, presents a considerable challenge.
Pakistan's efforts to acquire advanced military technologies, including 5th-generation fighters and missile systems, also add complexity to the regional security landscape.
The LRAShM's confirmed Mach 10 speed and its extended range (with some analysts suggesting it may surpass the officially stated 1,500 kilometers) give India a significant advantage, potentially allowing it to neutralize enemy assets deep within their territory before defensive measures can be activated.
