On June 2, 2026, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force successfully test-fired the indigenous Rudram-II anti-radiation missile off the coast of Odisha.
This milestone has sparked fresh comparisons between the new Indian weapon and the widely known Chinese-developed CM-400AKG strike missile.
Although both are long-range, high-speed weapons capable of reaching hypersonic speeds in their final flight stages to destroy critical targets, they rely on entirely different design concepts and battlefield strategies.
Superficially, these two systems seem to serve the same purpose.
They both allow fighter jets to attack well-protected enemy sites from a safe distance, remaining outside the danger zone of most tactical air defence networks.
Yet, a deeper look shows that the Rudram-II and the CM-400AKG are tailored for distinct roles and specific combat situations.
Developed primarily by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, the Rudram-II is specifically built to suppress and destroy enemy air defences. Its main job is to hunt down radar stations and air defence setups.
The missile is said to reach terminal speeds of up to Mach 5.5 while remaining highly manoeuvrable under power. This blend of extreme speed and agile movement makes it incredibly difficult for modern air defence systems to track and intercept.
In contrast, the Chinese CM-400AKG uses a semi-ballistic flight path rather than sustained manoeuvrability.
Once fired, it climbs to a very high altitude and then plunges sharply towards its target, reaching speeds between Mach 4.5 and Mach 5. This steep, high-energy dive puts immense pressure on ground-based air defence systems trying to shoot it down.
With an estimated range of about 300 kilometres, the Rudram-II permits Indian fighter aircraft to attack hostile radar grids while staying safely away from the reach of enemy surface-to-air missiles.
It is equipped with a 200-kilogram payload specifically designed to obliterate radar towers, command vehicles, and related air defence equipment.
Meanwhile, the CM-400AKG has an official export range of roughly 240 to 250 kilometres, though some users report it can fly further under specific conditions.
It can carry different types of explosives, such as blast-fragmentation or bunker-penetrating warheads. This makes it suitable for a broader variety of targets, including reinforced structures and naval ships.
A major advantage of the Rudram-II is its ability to solve a classic problem in anti-radar warfare. Historically, enemy operators would simply turn off their radars upon detecting an incoming missile, causing older radar-seeking weapons to lose their lock and miss the target.
The Rudram-II counters this tactic by using multiple navigation technologies. It starts by following the radar waves using a passive seeker. If the enemy switches off the radar, the missile relies on satellite and internal navigation to head toward the last known spot.
In its final moments, an Imaging Infrared (IIR) sensor takes control, visually identifying and striking the radar vehicle or equipment regardless of whether it is broadcasting a signal.
The CM-400AKG uses a modular design instead. Depending on the version, it can be fitted with radar seekers for anti-radiation duties, or camera-based and infrared sensors for attacking ships and ground targets. While this gives it operational flexibility, it is considered a general-purpose strike weapon rather than a dedicated radar-hunting system.
The development of the Rudram-II is a key step in India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Following its successful launch from a Su-30MKI fighter, the weapon is slated for integration with other Indian jets, such as the Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and eventually the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This will enable the Indian Air Force to phase out foreign-made anti-radiation missiles in favour of standard, homegrown equipment.
On the other hand, the CM-400AKG is primarily used by international buyers. It is most notably equipped on the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and appeals to nations looking for a cost-effective, long-range attack option.
When it comes to dismantling advanced, interconnected air defence networks, the Rudram-II holds a definitive edge. Its superior final speed, multi-layered guidance system, and dual-seeker setup make evasion nearly impossible for ground operators.
The missile's capability to hunt down targets even after radar signals drop makes it a lethal threat to modern air defences.
The CM-400AKG, however, shines in a broader attack context. Its high-diving trajectory, massive impact force, and interchangeable sensors make it a formidable choice for striking distant ships, buildings, and critical land facilities. Its vertical plunge makes it especially hard for traditional close-range defence systems to stop.
Ultimately, these two weapons represent entirely different strategic choices. The Rudram-II is a focused, next-generation radar killer designed to tear down enemy air defences and clear the way for allied aircraft.
In contrast, the CM-400AKG serves as a flexible, high-speed missile built to unleash massive destructive power on a wide variety of battlefield targets.
