India successfully tests its first long-range hypersonic missile, MoD calls it a 'historic moment'

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile on Saturday. The trial was conducted at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha and marked a significant boost to the country’s military readiness. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the trial and elucidated its importance.

“India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha,” the Defence Minister wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

“This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. I congratulate Team @DRDO_India, our Armed Forces and the Industry for stupendous achievement,” he added.

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India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations… pic.twitter.com/jZzdTwIF6w

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 17, 2024

It is pertinent to note that the hypersonic missile is designed to carry several payloads for ranges greater than 1500 km. It can be used by all the services of the Indian Armed Forces.

An indigenously developed missile

According to DRDO, the missile was tracked by various range systems that were deployed in multiple domains. The flight data which was later obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the missile’s successful terminal manoeuvers and impact with a high degree of accuracy.

It is pertinent to note that the missile has been indigenously developed in the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad. Other DRDO labs and medical industry partners also helped with the mission.

The Saturday flight trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and the Armed Forces. The Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO also congratulated the team for the successful mission.

Apart from India, several nations are also actively pursuing hypersonic missile programs, including the United States, Russia, and China.

With inputs from agencies.