New Delhi: India has achieved a major breakthrough in advanced missile technology by successfully test‑firing its latest hypersonic missile under the ambitious Project Vishnu. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile, named Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET‑LDHCM), reportedly reached speeds up to Mach 8 – eight times the speed of sound.
This hypersonic missile marks a key milestone in India’s quest for a next‑generation deterrent. Capable of flying over 1,500 km at extremely high speeds, the ET‑LDHCM is designed to carry a variety of payloads, including nuclear and conventional warheads. It uses a scramjet engine that allows it to breathe atmospheric oxygen, thereby eliminating the need for onboard oxidisers and significantly increasing range and efficiency.
Launched from a land-based mobile platform, the missile demonstrated its ability to manoeuvre mid‑air and maintain low‑altitude flight, effectively avoiding radar detection. Defence experts have highlighted that this agility and speed enable it to evade even the most advanced air defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome or Russia’s S‑500.
The Indian government, while not confirming all technical specifics, praised DRDO’s innovation and emphasised the importance of self‑reliance in defence capabilities. The success of this India hypersonic missile further places the nation among an elite group of countries – including the US, China, and Russia – with operational hypersonic technology.
Strategic analysts believe this development enhances India’s defence posture amid increasing regional tensions. The successful demonstration of the ET‑LDHCM adds another dimension to India’s growing arsenal of deterrent systems.
