India takes leap forward in defence, conducts successful test of new hypersonic missile

NEW DELHI: India’s precision military capabilities were globally recognised following Operation Sindoor, launched in response to Pakistan’s Pahalgam attack. The operation, which targeted only enemy bases and terror camps, demonstrated India’s growing prowess in modern warfare. Now, another technological breakthrough has further underscored the country’s defence excellence: the successful test of a new hypersonic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The missile, named Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM), travels at a speed eight times faster than sound and can accurately strike targets up to 1,500 kilometres away. The missile is part of Project Vishnu, an advanced initiative by DRDO.

Amid rising global tensions, India’s new test adds to the modernisation efforts of its missile arsenal, alongside systems like BrahMos, Agni-5, and Akash. Unlike older missiles that relied on rotating compressors for propulsion, the ET-LDHCM uses air-breathing propulsion powered by a scramjet engine that draws oxygen from the atmosphere, allowing for sustained high-speed flight.

While the BrahMos missile reaches speeds of Mach 3 (3,675 km/h), the new ET-LDHCM reaches an astonishing Mach 8 (around 11,000 km/h). In terms of range, BrahMos initially had a range of 290 km, which was later extended to 450 km. The new missile extends that reach dramatically, with an expected range of 1,500 km and the capacity to carry a payload of 1,000 to 2,000 kg, including both conventional and nuclear warheads.

As a low-altitude cruise missile, it can fly under radar coverage, evading detection with ease, while its high precision ensures accurate strikes on even the most difficult targets. The missile is also designed to withstand extreme conditions, enduring temperatures up to 2,000°C without losing accuracy.

Until now, hypersonic cruise missile technology was limited to just three countries: China, Russia, and the United States. With the successful development and testing of the ET-LDHCM, India now joins this elite group. With rising Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region and Pakistan’s ongoing cross-border terror threats, Project Vishnu and India’s hypersonic capabilities mark a strategic advancement in ensuring national security and regional deterrence.