India's Armed Forces Plans a Massive 500 Hypersonic Missile Arsenal Post-2030 to Counter China-Pak Dual Threat

In a major step towards modernising its strategic arsenal, India’s armed forces have projected a requirement for approximately 500 hypersonic missiles, with plans for induction to begin after 2030.

This initiative, jointly pursued by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, is designed to provide a decisive deep-strike capability against high-value targets protected by sophisticated enemy air defence systems, addressing the evolving security challenges posed by China and Pakistan.

The development of this next-generation weaponry is being spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under programmes reportedly codenamed Project Vishnu.

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, and are exceptionally difficult to intercept due to their high velocity and ability to manoeuvre mid-flight.

These weapons will be powered by advanced scramjet engine technology, which allows for sustained high-speed atmospheric flight, giving them a significant advantage over conventional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable trajectory.

This ambitious missile programme is a cornerstone of India's long-term military modernisation plan, aligning with a 15-year defence roadmap expected to prioritise advanced technologies.

The goal is to establish India as one of the few nations with operational hypersonic capabilities, a group that currently includes the United States, Russia, and China.

Development streams include variants such as the BrahMos-II hypersonic cruise missile, a joint venture with Russia, and other indigenous long-range systems.

The planned missiles are expected to feature formidable technical specifications tailored for tri-service operational needs.

They are being designed to achieve speeds between Mach 6 and Mach 8 (approximately 7,400 to 9,800 km/h) and strike targets at ranges greater than 1,500 kilometres. This represents a substantial leap in capability compared to existing assets like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Furthermore, their ability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads will significantly enhance India’s strategic deterrence.

A key feature of these missiles is their operational flexibility.

They are being developed for launch from a wide variety of platforms, including land-based mobile launchers, naval warships and submarines, and fighter aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI and Rafale.

This versatility ensures that all three branches of the armed forces can deploy these weapons effectively, providing a credible, multi-layered offensive capability to safeguard India's national interests in a complex geopolitical environment.

 

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[abhinav srivastava]

We will also need a few 100, 2500 KM hypersonic missiles for the eastern border as well.

 

[PRIMAL RAJ]

We will also need a few 100, 2500 KM hypersonic missiles for the eastern border as well.

Yes, that's ETLDHCM with a 1500-2500km range, BrahMos-2 will have a range of 1000km or at best 1500km but we shouldn't stop there we should also quickly induct whatever DRDO is developing under Project Dhvani that HGV-based missile.

 

[Mayank Jadav]

Yes, that's ETLDHCM with a 1500-2500km range, BrahMos-2 will have a range of 1000km or at best 1500km but we shouldn't stop there we should also quickly induct whatever DRDO is developing under Project Dhvani that HGV-based missile.

The issue we face is execution time. Almost all of our programs—from AIP technology to aircraft—are running behind schedule, which poses a threat to national security. I believe there should be reforms, especially in HAL, a pathetic organisation.

 

[Pad UwU]

If we can't deploy yet, just buy from Russia. Europe and the US are having a hard time deploying and developing their own version of hypersonic missiles.

 

[Man H]

Why only 500? What is the basis of this number?

 

[Ngorno karabakh]

Since the Air Force is getting weaker and weaker, we have to make up for it somewhere else. Missile and artillery tech has shown great potential and should be promoted.

 

[Sandeep]

Hypersonic missiles are missiles of the future and a critical necessity to have. We will also need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture a broad range of missiles.

We need the ability to launch it or variants of the missile from air, land and sea so that we have a comprehensive and unified capability to launch them when we need to. We also need more than 500 missiles as in a war they will be used very quickly so we will need thousands.

 

[Leo red]

Something wrong with data. We need atleast 10000 hypersonic missiles considering multiple fronts including Bangladesh too. Consider 3% damaged on ground by enemies. And 10% under development at any time. 5% for testing. And another 3% for different types of model making. 20% in readiness. Rest under development and modifications.

also those who think this will be costly. Answer is no. More missiles we develop more man power more development and more GDP will increase results in more economical development. Means more money. Let this companies go and get money from share market. People are waiting. It's not profit play it's GDP play.