SOURCE: IDRW.ORG


India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is spearheading an ambitious initiative to develop 12 distinct hypersonic missile systems under programs like Project Vishnu, aiming to position India as a global leader in advanced missile technology. This multifaceted program, encompassing Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs), Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), and anti-hypersonic defence systems, reflects India’s strategic intent to achieve deterrence and operational superiority in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
With successful tests, such as the November 2024 long-range hypersonic missile trial, and ongoing advancements in scramjet propulsion, India is poised to join an elite group of nations—including the United States, Russia, and China—with diverse and operational hypersonic capabilities. This article, drawing on insights from idrw.org and other sources, explores DRDO’s hypersonic program, its technological breakthroughs, and its implications for India’s defence posture.
Hypersonic weapons, defined as systems traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,200 km/h), offer unparalleled speed, maneuverability, and low-altitude flight profiles, making them nearly impossible to intercept with conventional air defence systems. DRDO’s program, as reported by idrw.org, includes 12 variants tailored for land, air, and sea operations across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. These systems include:
- Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by scramjet engines, HCMs sustain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight, offering precision strikes against land and naval targets. The Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM), with a range of 2,500km and speeds up to Mach 8, is a flagship project under Project Vishnu.
- Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Launched by ballistic missiles or rockets, HGVs glide at hypersonic speeds, performing terminal maneuvers to evade defences. The Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), tested in November 2024 with a 1,500km range, featured an HGV payload, demonstrating advanced maneuverability.
- Anti-Hypersonic Defence Systems: Designed to counter enemy hypersonic threats, these systems leverage DRDO’s expertise in ballistic missile defence (BMD) to intercept high-speed, maneuverable targets.
- BrahMos-II: A hypersonic variant of the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile, targeting Mach 7–8 and a 1,500km range, is under development for anti-ship and land-attack roles.
- Air-Launched and Submarine-Launched Variants: Potential systems include air-to-surface HCMs for fighters like the Su-30 MKI and submarine-launched missiles for India’s SSBNs, enhancing underwater deterrence.
- Hypersonic Drones and Decoys: These systems aim to confuse enemy defences, complementing offensive missiles by saturating radar systems.
Technological Breakthroughs
DRDO’s hypersonic program builds on decades of research, with key milestones validating critical technologies:
- Scramjet Propulsion: In early 2025, DRDO achieved sustained scramjet combustion for over 1,000 seconds, a breakthrough for HCMs requiring long-duration hypersonic flight. This technology, tested on the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) in 2020 at Mach 6 for 22–23 seconds, enables low-altitude, high-speed penetration of defended airspace.
- Thermal Management: Advanced thermal barrier coatings and endothermic fuels, developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), protect missiles from extreme heat generated at hypersonic speeds.
- Guidance Systems: The November 2024 LRAShM test demonstrated terminal maneuvers, leveraging onboard guidance combining inertial navigation, IRNSS/GPS, and potential radar scene correlation for a CEP of less than 10 meters.
- Hypersonic Wind Tunnels: India operates 12 hypersonic wind tunnels, including the ?400 crore facility at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, capable of simulating Mach 5–13. These facilities, supported by IIT Kanpur’s S2 Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel (Mach 8–29), enable rigorous testing of aerodynamics and propulsion.
The HSTDV, a scramjet-powered testbed, has been pivotal, with trials since 2019 validating aerodynamic configurations, thermal properties, and engine performance. DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat, in a June 2025 interview with NDTV, noted that the HGV program is in an advanced stage, with induction expected within two to three years, while HCM development could take five to seven years.
India’s hypersonic program is driven by regional and global strategic imperatives. China’s DF-17 HGV (Mach 10, 1,800–2,500km) and Russia’s 3M22 Zircon HCM (Mach 9, 1,000km) highlight the proliferation of hypersonic weapons, necessitating India’s own capabilities to maintain deterrence. Pakistan’s Fatah-II, intercepted by India’s MR-SAM in May 2025, underscores the need for advanced systems to counter regional threats.
The November 2024 test of the LRAShM, described by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a “historic moment,” placed India among the few nations with long-range hypersonic capabilities. Unlike Russia’s Kinzhal, intercepted by Ukraine’s Patriot system, India’s missiles emphasize maneuverability and plasma stealth, reducing radar detection by absorbing radio waves.
Despite these hurdles, DRDO’s progress is promising. The fabrication of a fuel tank for Project Vishnu’s HCM, reported in September 2024, and the LRAShM’s successful test indicate momentum. By 2027–2028, DRDO aims to induct HGVs, with HCMs like ET-LDHCM following by 2030. Collaborations with Russia (BrahMos-II) and private firms like HTNP Industries, developing the HGV-202F (Mach 15, 5,500km), bolster India’s ecosystem.
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