The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed the expansion of its Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) project.
Originally designed to bolster the Indian Navy's maritime security, the programme is now evolving into a multi-service platform with specialized ground-strike versions being developed for both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
Technical Advancements and Flight Profile
The LRAShM is a sophisticated boost-glide hypersonic weapon designed to secure India's coastlines and maritime interests.The system utilizes a powerful two-stage solid rocket motor to propel the missile into the upper atmosphere. Upon reaching the desired altitude, it releases a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) that descends toward its objective.
Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable path, the LRAShM employs a quasi-ballistic trajectory. It maintains extreme speeds—reportedly reaching a peak of Mach 10—while performing unpredictable maneuvers and atmospheric "skips."
This unique flight profile, combined with its ability to fly at lower altitudes, makes the missile nearly impossible for current radar and air defence systems to track or intercept.
Strategic Expansion to Land and Air
While the naval variant remains a priority for coastal batteries, the programme's scope has widened following significant interest from other military branches.- Indian Army: Leading the broader developmental effort, the Army seeks a surface-to-surface version to hit high-value, fortified targets.
- Indian Air Force: The aviation wing is expected to adopt a variant that mirrors the performance of the land-based version, providing a high-speed deep-strike capability.
It offers nearly three times the operational range of the Pralay tactical missile, allowing India to conduct conventional strikes against heavily protected assets without resorting to long-range strategic (nuclear) systems.
Operational Impact and Deterrence
In maritime scenarios, the missile is specifically engineered to neutralize large surface combatants, such as aircraft carriers, by overwhelming their layered interceptors.For land operations, its precision and hypersonic penetration will allow the military to strike command centres and hardened infrastructure deep within hostile territory.
The LRAShM represents a shift toward a unified "family of missiles" approach. By sharing technology across naval, land, and air platforms, DRDO aims to maximize resource efficiency while providing the armed forces with a cutting-edge tool for Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) missions.
Once fully operational, the system is expected to significantly strengthen India's deterrence posture across the Indo-Pacific and its continental borders.
