DRDO's Breakthrough in Hypersonic Missile Technology: Boosting India’s Strategic Deterrence

 A Milestone Achievement in 2024

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a major breakthrough in hypersonic missile technology on November 16, 2024, with the successful flight test of a long-range hypersonic missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. This accomplishment positions India among an elite group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, capable of developing and deploying advanced hypersonic weaponry. The missile, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 6 and ranges exceeding 1,500 km, enhances India’s strategic deterrence for all three armed forces.

Understanding Hypersonic Weapons

Hypersonic weapons fall into two primary categories:

1. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Launched via rockets, these glide toward their targets.
2. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: Powered by scramjet engines, they sustain high speeds during flight.

Traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), these weapons can penetrate advanced missile defense systems such as THAAD or S-400. Hypersonic speeds are categorized further:

• Mach 5 to Mach 10: Hypersonic speeds.
• Mach 10 to Mach 25: High hypersonic speeds.

Historical Context of Hypersonic Technology

Though often dubbed the “technology of the 21st century,” hypersonic research dates back to the 1930s. The V-2 missile of World War II, launched in 1942, was the first human-made object to reach space, traveling to an altitude of 176 km. Modern developments have expanded these technologies for advanced military applications.

Global Use and Development

Hypersonic weapons gained significant attention during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Russia became the first country to use these weapons in combat, notably deploying the Kh-47 Kinzhal missile at speeds exceeding Mach 10. However, the limitations of hypersonic systems were also exposed, with Ukraine successfully intercepting a Kinzhal missile using the Patriot Air Defense System.

Globally, the focus has shifted to developing HGVs and missile defense systems capable of countering hypersonic threats. However, the development of these technologies remains a long-term endeavor.

India’s Hypersonic Advancements

India’s hypersonic research, led by DRDO and private sector players like BrahMos Aerospace, has been underway for over 15 years. Key milestones include:

• September 7, 2020: Successful test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), achieving speeds of Mach 6.
• November 16, 2024: Validation of critical subsystems and demonstration of advanced terminal maneuverability.

India’s hypersonic missiles boast low-altitude flight capabilities, rendering adversaries’ missile defense systems ineffective while bolstering India’s deterrence.

Future Projects: BrahMos-II and HGV-202F

India is developing the BrahMos-II, a hypersonic scramjet-propelled missile with a range of 1,500 km. Testing is expected to begin in 2025, with operational deployment by 2028. Additionally, HTNP Industries, an Indian startup, is developing the HGV-202F, a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of achieving speeds of Mach 15 or more, potentially deployable on platforms like the Agni-V ballistic missile.

Strengthening India’s Deterrence Architecture

2024 has been a landmark year for DRDO, marked by significant achievements:

1. Agni-V MIRV Test (March 2024): Demonstrating multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle capabilities.
2. Phase-2 Ballistic Missile Defense System Test (July 2024): Advancing India’s missile defense capabilities.
3. Hypersonic Missile Test (November 2024): Cementing India’s position in cutting-edge military technology.

These milestones significantly reinforce India’s nuclear deterrence architecture and demonstrate its technological prowess in defense innovation.