DRDO Confirms Mach 10 Speed for LRAShM, Surpassing Expectations and Challenging Global Hypersonic Missile Dominance

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.

 

[parimal vaikuthray Pandya]

Why indias focus on missile defence prospects getting failed to get indigenous development of the submarines and Jet fighters hopelessly

 

[sunnyp343]

Kudos.

 

[beencensured]

Congratulations, just need to produce thousands of them. India really needs a big sixth-generation aircraft, one that could become a bomber.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Defence.in, can you please give evidence of the above speeds achieved by the hypersonic vehicle? You are the only one that seems to know the facts. Please be kind enough to quote DRDO publications or a scientist's name who confirmed this news. Please don't say "sources" or "unconfirmed reports" or "sources within DRDO." We have heard enough of that. That proof would make your blog really credible.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Congratulations, just need to produce thousands of them. India really needs a big sixth-generation aircraft, one that could become a bomber.

First let them build Tejas M2 and AMCA.

 

[Anant]

Congratulations, just need to produce thousands of them. India really needs a big sixth-generation aircraft, one that could become a bomber.

Absolutely agreed on the first part, Sir. A few thousand, heck, even a few hundred of these would be a massive force multiplier.

As for the latter, Sir, I respectfully disagree. We do not need a bomber. What we do need is more fighters. As for getting such HGVs to long ranges, well, if we could integrate such HGV warheads onto our Agni IV and Agni V ballistic missiles, then we would be able to get such warheads to extended ranges.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

That Dongfeng hypersonic could be even slower, around Mach 10, than claimed.

 

[Spectator]

This missile will only be effective if and only if it enters mass production, like BrahMos.

The strategic benefits of mass-producing Indian long-range anti-ship missiles are further amplified by their hypersonic capabilities. Hypersonic missiles, traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, are extremely difficult to detect and intercept, giving India a decisive edge in maritime warfare. This capability significantly enhances deterrence, as adversaries would struggle to defend against such high-speed threats. Hypersonic missiles improve India's ability to strike swiftly and effectively at distant targets, increasing control over key maritime regions like the Indian Ocean. Additionally, this cutting-edge technology strengthens India's position as a regional power.

But this system is still in trials, and it is still premature. So, I hope it will be completed and mass-produced.

 

[Bhishma]

Defence.in, can you please give evidence of the above speeds achieved by the hypersonic vehicle? You are the only one that seems to know the facts. Please be kind enough to quote DRDO publications or a scientist's name who confirmed this news. Please don't say "sources" or "unconfirmed reports" or "sources within DRDO." We have heard enough of that. That proof would make your blog really credible.

But why should that matter? China announces Mach 12, there's no way of verifying it. It might as well be psyops, intended to scare the Americans. Even if Mach 5, China has no way of intercepting it. Heck, they can't even intercept Mach 3 BrahMos.

 

[Bhishma]

That Dongfeng hypersonic could be even slower, around Mach 10, than claimed.

Dumbfeng missed its target by ~10km and landed in some apartment complex on the outskirts of Beijing. This happened when Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. I guess at this point all Chinese military hardware is just for show. They believed their own bull$hit and went to battle with India. Reality hit them very hard.

 

[Kira]

Why is mass production necessary right now? Given budget constraints and other priorities, we could maintain a limited inventory of fewer than 50 missiles—perhaps under 30 or 50—considering the high development costs compared to sub-Mach 3 missiles. These missiles are not meant for immediate action but to serve as a strong deterrent, discouraging any potential misadventures. Gradual production scaling can be considered, especially if we explore revenue generation by selling them to allied nations. The Indian defense sector should also focus on optimizing budget utilization for long-term sustainability.

Rightly said, just like you can't buy Abrams or Leopards in the same numbers as T-72 or T-90 tanks.

 

[Rohit Singh]

This missile will only be effective if and only if it enters mass production, like BrahMos.

The strategic benefits of mass-producing Indian long-range anti-ship missiles are further amplified by their hypersonic capabilities. Hypersonic missiles, traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, are extremely difficult to detect and intercept, giving India a decisive edge in maritime warfare. This capability significantly enhances deterrence, as adversaries would struggle to defend against such high-speed threats. Hypersonic missiles improve India's ability to strike swiftly and effectively at distant targets, increasing control over key maritime regions like the Indian Ocean. Additionally, this cutting-edge technology strengthens India's position as a regional power.

But this system is still in trials, and it is still premature. So, I hope it will be completed and mass-produced.

Why is mass production necessary right now? Given budget constraints and other priorities, we could maintain a limited inventory of fewer than 50 missiles—perhaps under 30 or 50—considering the high development costs compared to sub-Mach 3 missiles. These missiles are not meant for immediate action but to serve as a strong deterrent, discouraging any potential misadventures. Gradual production scaling can be considered, especially if we explore revenue generation by selling them to allied nations. The Indian defense sector should also focus on optimizing budget utilization for long-term sustainability.

 

[Rational Guy]

Absolutely agreed on the first part, Sir. A few thousand, heck, even a few hundred of these would be a massive force multiplier.

As for the latter, Sir, I respectfully disagree. We do not need a bomber. What we do need is more fighters. As for getting such HGVs to long ranges, well, if we could integrate such HGV warheads onto our Agni IV and Agni V ballistic missiles, then we would be able to get such warheads to extended ranges.

Hypersonic missiles are not cheap. Considering how stingy we are even with Pralay likely we will make only 50-100, probably max 150 LrASHM. In typical Indian fashion in times of crisis or war we will suddenly start producing it like crazy lol.

 

[Rational Guy]

Why is mass production necessary right now? Given budget constraints and other priorities, we could maintain a limited inventory of fewer than 50 missiles—perhaps under 30 or 50—considering the high development costs compared to sub-Mach 3 missiles. These missiles are not meant for immediate action but to serve as a strong deterrent, discouraging any potential misadventures. Gradual production scaling can be considered, especially if we explore revenue generation by selling them to allied nations. The Indian defense sector should also focus on optimizing budget utilization for long-term sustainability.

Yup. We need hundreds of conventional cheap and easy to produce ballistic missiles like Pralay. Hypersonic missiles are neither easy to produce nor cheap.

 

[beencensured]

Absolutely agreed on the first part, Sir. A few thousand, heck, even a few hundred of these would be a massive force multiplier.

As for the latter, Sir, I respectfully disagree. We do not need a bomber. What we do need is more fighters. As for getting such HGVs to long ranges, well, if we could integrate such HGV warheads onto our Agni IV and Agni V ballistic missiles, then we would be able to get such warheads to extended ranges.

You are forgetting, or likely not yet born, one of the dream projects of APJ Kalam. Besides, this is a space project, not an aeroplane, as it should launch satellites and ICBMs.

 

[beencensured]

Hypersonic missiles are not cheap. Considering how stingy we are even with Pralay likely we will make only 50-100, probably max 150 LrASHM. In typical Indian fashion in times of crisis or war we will suddenly start producing it like crazy lol.

A reusable space plane bomber then becomes more rational, and was a dream project of APJ Kalam.

 

[Rational Guy]

A reusable space plane bomber then becomes more rational, and was a dream project of APJ Kalam.

Difficult, probably only US has achieved this.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical hypersonic missile that the Navy needs to 100% indigenously design, develop, and manufacture, and different variants for the Air Force and Army.

The only issue is how we will install the very large missiles on our ships, where space is already restricted enough as it is. One missile at Mach 10 and above can destroy a ship unless they have a SAM defence from it. We need to develop different variants of the hypersonic missile for the Navy, Air Force, and Army, which will allow us to

 

[beencensured]

Difficult, probably only US has achieved this.

Even USA does not have scram jet space plane, but yes a reusable space shuttle and rockets. India is working on reusable rockets. . It might be thirty year old idea, but fruition may come in ten years.

 

[Bobby Singh]

Defence.in, can you please give evidence of the above speeds achieved by the hypersonic vehicle? You are the only one that seems to know the facts. Please be kind enough to quote DRDO publications or a scientist's name who confirmed this news. Please don't say "sources" or "unconfirmed reports" or "sources within DRDO." We have heard enough of that. That proof would make your blog really credible.

Why do you need it? You do not trust? that is OK. No body has to give proof. You are like Pappu.

 

[Tls Mani]

Install them at Nicobar Islands, Burma coast, & of course, on the west coast, to smash jihadis & the expansionist communist China, to prevent what other commies did to Ukraine. We have to be armed to the teeth & retort back against any terrorists or sponsored attacks.

 

[Anant]

Hypersonic missiles are not cheap. Considering how stingy we are even with Pralay likely we will make only 50-100, probably max 150 LrASHM. In typical Indian fashion in times of crisis or war we will suddenly start producing it like crazy lol.

In the short run, yes. However, a few hundred of these, both for naval and land strike, would be a massive conventional deterrent.

 

[Vishnu Nair (Vivi)]

The trajectory data of LRASHM can't be compared with that of HSTDV. HSTDV was propelled using a scramjet engine. LRASHM doesn't have any active propulsion in the glide phase.