India testing a missile that flies at eight times the speed of sound, hits targets 1,500 km away
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Hypersonic capabilities mark a strategic leap
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India has reportedly tested a new hypersonic missile that can travel at eight times the speed of sound and strike targets as far as 1,500 kilometres away. The Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile ( ET-LDHCM ), developed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation 's (DRDO) Project Vishnu , significantly outpaces and outdistances the current BrahMos cruise missile.The test comes amid growing global tensions, including the Israel-Iran conflict and worsening India-Pakistan relations. With Turkey increasingly aligning with Pakistan, India is accelerating its defence modernisation. This includes upgrades across the missile programme, such as BrahMos, Agni-5, and Akash systems.The ET-LDHCM is powered by a scramjet engine that uses air-breathing propulsion, relying on atmospheric oxygen rather than a traditional rotating compressor. This allows the missile to reach Mach 8, or roughly 11,000 km/h, compared to BrahMos' Mach 3 speed of about 3,675 km/h.Its range also marks a leap from BrahMos' original 290 km, later extended to around 450 km, to a new capability of 1,500 km. This combination of speed and extended reach enhances India's strategic strike range.The missile can carry a payload of 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms and is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its low-altitude flight capability helps it avoid radar detection, while its high targeting precision allows it to strike critical infrastructure in difficult terrains.The ET-LDHCM can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms. Its ability to alter its path mid-flight gives it adaptability in dynamic battlefield conditions.The missile is engineered to handle extreme thermal stress, with performance stability maintained at temperatures up to 2,000°C during hypersonic travel. This capability is critical for sustained speed and accuracy.At present, only Russia, the United States, and China have operational hypersonic cruise missile technology . If India's ET-LDHCM test proves successful, it would join this small group of nations with indigenous hypersonic capabilities.India's aim with the ET-LDHCM is to strengthen its deterrence strategy, particularly in relation to Pakistan, while countering China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
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