India Confirms Rudram-4 Air-to-Surface Hypersonic Missile Development, Capable of Quasi-Ballistic Trajectory to Evade Interception

In a major stride towards bolstering its strategic deterrent, India has officially confirmed the development of the Rudram-4, a state-of-the-art air-launched hypersonic missile.

The announcement, made by the Chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), underscores a significant enhancement of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) long-range strike capabilities.

The Rudram-4 is designed to travel at hypersonic speeds—more than five times the speed of sound—and follow an unpredictable quasi-ballistic flight path.

This combination of extreme velocity and high maneuverability makes it exceptionally difficult for existing air defence systems to detect and intercept, ensuring a high probability of mission success.

A New Pinnacle in the Rudram Missile Family​

The Rudram-4 is the latest and most advanced entry in the indigenously developed Rudram series of air-to-surface missiles. The series, whose name translates from Sanskrit as "Remover of Sorrows," is designed to neutralize critical enemy assets from a safe distance.

The program includes several variants tailored for specific roles:

• Rudram-1: An anti-radiation missile designed to home in on and destroy enemy radar installations and communication hubs. With a range of up to 200 km, it has been successfully tested and is ready for production.
• Rudram-2: A hypersonic missile tested in May 2024, capable of both ground attack and anti-radiation missions with a range of 300 km.
• Rudram-3: A long-range weapon with a reach of 550 km, designed for deep penetration strikes against high-value, fortified targets.

The development of Rudram-4 builds upon the technological successes of its predecessors, aiming to provide even greater range and strategic flexibility.

Technical Capabilities of Rudram-4​

According to the DRDO Chief, the Rudram-4 is being developed as a Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW). While its exact range is classified, it is expected to exceed the 300 km mark and potentially surpass the 550 km range of the Rudram-3.

Key features of the Rudram-4 are set to include:

• Hypersonic Speed: The missile will achieve speeds greater than Mach 5 (approx. 6,174 km/h), drastically reducing flight time and giving adversaries minimal warning.
• Quasi-Ballistic Trajectory: Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable arc, the Rudram-4 can maneuver at low altitudes, flying under the radar coverage of most air defence systems, similar to Russia's Kinzhal missile.
• Lightweight Design: It is speculated to be lighter than earlier versions, a crucial factor that allows it to be integrated with a wider array of IAF aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and Dassault Rafale.
• Pinpoint Accuracy: The missile will be guided by a combination of Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS, along with advanced seekers like an Imaging Infrared (IIR) sensor for precise targeting of command centres, SAM batteries, and reinforced bunkers.

The project received formal approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in March 2023, reflecting a strategic shift towards developing advanced hypersonic weapons over slower subsonic cruise missiles.

Strategic Implications for Regional Security​

The development of Rudram-4 is a direct response to the evolving security landscape in the region.

The missile is designed to provide India with a credible capability to carry out missions aimed at the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD). These operations are critical for clearing a path for friendly aircraft to operate safely within hostile airspace.

The Rudram-4's capabilities present a potent counter to advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, such as the HQ-9 and S-400 deployed in the region.

By enabling the IAF to strike targets deep within enemy territory without putting its pilots and aircraft at risk, the missile acts as a significant "force multiplier."

This advancement places India in a select group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that are actively developing or have fielded hypersonic weapon technologies.

By pursuing self-reliance in this critical area, India aims to maintain strategic parity, deter potential aggression, and ensure its armed forces are equipped with next-generation technology to safeguard national interests.

 

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[sanket]

Good, with a speed of over Mach 5 and lighter weight, plus exceeding the 550 km range compared to Rudram III, which will allow fighter jets to remain inside the border and perform the mission, especially against air defence systems, ground radar, and communications, this will clear the path for further deep penetration strike attacks. Rudram IV will be a game-changer anti-radiation missile. That's what I always say: the Rafale weapon package lacks this kind of anti-radiation missile, which is very crucial these days for SEAD and DEAD missions to gain the upper hand. If the Ghatak and Rudram combo is very effective, then an unmanned platform can perform SEAD and DEAD missions.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

We must take up integration with Tejas MK1A and MK2 in the initial stage itself.

 

[Pankajrai]

It's a very good approach. Rudram 4 will be the game changer.

 

[Flanker]

800km+ range to counter China

 

[DefStock]

3-4 years is very positive timeline, start using additive manufacturing and inhouse AI, re-development after each test will become faster

 

[parimal vaikuthray Pandya]

Is Indians focus on missile technology and avoiding others sector of the defence failed to get indigenous arjun tank submarines and Jet engine shamefully

 

[Hari Sud]

Well in India airforce; the greater era of missile and drone technology has begun. Indian missiles are matching Western country’s missiles hence the rest of the world will be looking for them. These 30 to 40% cheaper and work.

 

[Senapati]

Rudram missile has anti radiation version and a land attack version.Range and speed sufficient to neutralize radar stations SAM missile launch pads and missions like SEAD and DEAD.
Can be integrated to Su30 Mirage2000 Rafal Tejas.

 

[FROST]

The saddest part is certain arms lobby in west are greedy for others money and mad caps like Pakistan, Hamas Isis etc they are terrorising the world forcing others who wantbto lift up their country. India is one developing nation and these foreign forces are forcing this country to spend money on weapons to defend itself making the country to wait for development by another decade.