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Anti Ship Hypersonic Missile: The whole world is aware of China’s expansionist and Pakistan’s terror based diplomacy. Unfortunately, both these countries share borders with India. Pakistan is located on the western and China eastern borders of the country, hence it is important for India to upgrade and strengthen its defense system. Especially after Operation Sindoor and the collusion between China and Pakistan came to light, India became very alert and is preparing to deal with a war-like situation on two fronts.
Anti Ship Hypersonic Missile: This is the incident of the year 2020. There was sudden increase in activity on China’s border with Leh-Ladakh. The army of neighboring country China had the audacity to enter Indian territory. The brave soldiers of India gave a befitting reply and forced the Chinese army to retreat. However, after this incident, the situation on LAC is now normal, but the Indian Army is more alert and alert than before. After this incident in LAC Galwan, this year in Pahalgam, Pakistan supported terrorists brutally murdered innocent people in Pahalgam by asking their religion. After this, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor and destroyed many terrorist camps present in Pakistan. The military airbase of the neighboring country was also destroyed. After these two incidents, India is now busy preparing for the future. This means that India is preparing itself to face war on two fronts. Especially after the Galwan incident on LAC, India started working on anti-ship hypersonic missile. Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has achieved great success in this.
Amidst the increasing tension on LAC with China, the Indian Navy is strengthening its weapons according to the needs of multi-domain war. In this context, DRDO’s long-range anti-ship missile LR-ASHM is emerging as a hypersonic game-changer. This indigenous missile is now going into serial production (mass production). With its arrival, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will become a danger zone for the aircraft carriers of the Chinese Navy (PLAN) in case of any conflict. This missile, with a speed of Mach 10 and a range of more than 1,500 kilometers, is not just a weapon but a strategic warning that has the ability to destroy the enemy’s carrier strike group from a distance. This may force China to rethink its naval plans during any tension in the Himalayan region.
What is the speed of LR-ASHM hypersonic missile?
In fact, in view of the changing strategic situation around the world, India is placing special focus on making hypersonic missiles. DRDO is continuously working in this direction. LR-ASHM (Long Range Anti Ship hypersonic Missile) is the result of this effort. This missile is capable of attacking enemies at a speed of Mach-10 i.e. 12348 kilometers per hour. Due to hyposonic speed, this missile is capable of destroying the target in a moment. Before the enemy can understand anything, his existence will be erased.
Anti Ship Hypersonic Missile: India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed anti-ship hypersonic missile. (File photo/PTI)
What will be the range of hypersonic missile?
LR-ASHM hypersonic missile is not just a trader of speed. Its range is also quite high. This means that LR-ASHM can destroy any warship from hundreds of kilometers away. With the dual carrier operations through which China is increasing its maritime power, the arrival of LR-ASHM further strengthens India’s maritime deterrence policy. That means, if China tries to enter Indian maritime zone, it will have to face hypersonic attack. This missile is the result of DRDO’s effort to gain edge in hypersonic technology. It has been built at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad with partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Its design was finalized in September 2022 and tests proved the success of its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) structure, in which the missile lifts off from the rocket and glides at Mach 5+ speeds and strikes unexpectedly in the final stage.
What did DRDO Chief say, how much will it cost?
This missile has come into serial production by October 2025. DRDO chief Dr. Sameer V Kamat called it a big step in India’s naval firepower. With a speed of Mach 10 and a range of more than 1,500 km, this missile is far ahead of missiles like the American Harpoon or the Indian BrahMos. It can be fired from both land and sea. User trials are likely to be completed in 2027-28. The work of integrating it into the Navy’s aircraft carriers and other ships will begin from the year 2029. This will coincide with India’s naval expansion plan of 175 warships. This missile uses scramjet-like technology to maintain hypersonic flight and can fly at low altitude while avoiding radar, which is the specialty of DRDO’s HSTDV program. The price of one missile has been kept less than Rs 50 crore and the target is to make more than 200 missiles every year by 2030.
