SOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief has confirmed that India is actively developing the Rudram-4, a long-range air-to-surface missile (ALSM) designed to operate at hypersonic speeds.
This advanced missile, part of the Rudram series, is poised to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) strike capabilities, making it exceptionally difficult for adversaries to intercept due to its high speed and maneuverability.
The Rudram Series: A Leap in Air-to-Surface Warfare
The Rudram family, meaning “Remover of Sorrows” in Sanskrit, is a series of air-to-surface missiles developed by DRDO to neutralize enemy air defenses and high-value ground targets. The series includes:
- Rudram-1: A supersonic anti-radiation missile (ARM) with a range of up to 200 km, designed to target enemy radars and communication systems. Successfully tested in 2020, it is integrated with the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and is set for serial production.
- Rudram-2: A hypersonic missile with a range of 300 km, featuring both anti-radiation and ground-attack variants. It was successfully flight-tested in May 2024 from a Su-30 MKI, validating its propulsion, control, and guidance systems. The missile’s Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker enhances its precision against diverse targets.
- Rudram-3: A two-stage hypersonic missile with a range of 550 km, designed for deep-penetration strikes. It features a booster stage and a dual-pulse motor, with 16 control surfaces for high maneuverability. It is under development and expected to outmatch the air-launched BrahMos in speed and payload.
The Rudram-4, now in development, is set to further expand this family, offering extended range and enhanced capabilities tailored for long-range stand-off missions.
Rudram-4: A Game-Changer in Hypersonic Technology
According to the DRDO Chief, Rudram-4 will be a Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) with a range exceeding 300 km, potentially surpassing the Rudram-3’s 550 km. Unlike its predecessors, Rudram-4 is speculated to be lighter, enabling greater operational flexibility and integration with multiple IAF platforms, including the Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and possibly the Rafale. Its hypersonic speed—exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,790 km/h)—will make it nearly impossible to intercept, as its high velocity and maneuverability challenge even advanced air defense systems.
The missile is being developed under the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in March 2023. Initial reports suggested the LRSOW would be a subsonic cruise missile with a range of 1,000–1,500 km, but recent updates indicate it will be integrated into the Rudram family as Rudram-4, emphasizing hypersonic performance over subsonic range. This shift aligns with India’s focus on developing cutting-edge technologies to counter sophisticated threats, particularly from China and Pakistan.
Key features of Rudram-4 are expected to include:
- Hypersonic Speed: Achieving speeds above Mach 5, likely in the terminal phase, to evade enemy radar and interceptors.
- Precision Guidance: Utilizing INS-GPS navigation and possibly advanced seekers like IIR or passive homing heads for pinpoint accuracy against command centers, radar installations, and fortified bunkers.
- Lightweight Design: Potentially lighter than Rudram-3’s 600–700 kg, allowing for greater payload flexibility and integration with a wider range of aircraft.
- Quasi-Ballistic Trajectory: Enabling low-altitude, maneuverable flight paths to bypass air defense radar arcs, similar to Russia’s Kinzhal missile.
The DRDO Chief emphasized that Rudram-4’s hypersonic capabilities will make it a “force multiplier” for the IAF, enhancing its ability to conduct deep strikes while remaining within Indian airspace. This is particularly significant for targeting enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and critical infrastructure along contested borders.
Strategic Context and Regional Implications
The development of Rudram-4 comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly with China and Pakistan. The Rudram series is designed to counter the growing network of air defense systems and fortifications along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The missiles’ ability to destroy radar stations, communication hubs, and bunkers supports Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions, paving the way for IAF aircraft to operate freely in hostile airspace.
The Rudram-4’s hypersonic speed and extended range make it a direct counter to systems like China’s HQ-9 and Pakistan’s HQ-16 SAM systems. Its lightweight design and adaptability to multiple platforms enhance the IAF’s operational flexibility, allowing it to target high-value assets deep within enemy territory without risking fighter jets to close-range engagements. The missile’s quasi-ballistic trajectory and high maneuverability further complicate interception by systems like China’s S-400, deployed in Tibet.
The development also responds to regional advancements in hypersonic technology. China and Russia have fielded hypersonic missiles like the DF-17 and Kinzhal, respectively, while Pakistan has relied on Chinese-supplied systems like the CM-400AKG. By developing Rudram-4, India aims to maintain strategic parity and deter aggression through credible long-range strike capabilities.
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