India Unveils Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile at Republic Day Parade

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marked a major milestone in the country’s defence modernisation by unveiling the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) during the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path. The missile, showcased along with its launcher, formed the centrepiece of DRDO’s display and underscored India’s growing indigenous capabilities in cutting-edge weapons and naval technologies. The presentation reinforced New Delhi’s intent to strengthen maritime strike power and coastal defence amid evolving regional security challenges.

The LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile designed to engage both static and moving maritime targets with exceptional precision. Capable of achieving speeds of up to Mach 10 and sustaining an average hypersonic velocity of Mach 5 through multiple atmospheric skips, the missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory that makes interception extremely difficult. Its low-altitude flight profile, high manoeuvrability and indigenous high-accuracy sensors significantly reduce detection by enemy ground-based and ship-borne radar systems, enhancing survivability and lethality. The system features a two-stage solid rocket motor, transitioning to an unpowered glide phase after Stage-II burnout to execute terminal manoeuvres before impact.

Alongside the hypersonic missile, DRDO’s tableau at Bharat Parv 2026, themed “Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines,” showcased critical force multipliers for the Indian Navy’s conventional submarine fleet. Key technologies on display included the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), the Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT), and the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. Together, these systems are designed to provide enhanced underwater situational awareness, superior combat effectiveness and extended submerged endurance.

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The Integrated Combat Suite represents a next-generation, submarine-based defence architecture that integrates sensors, weapons and command systems to deliver a comprehensive underwater threat picture. Developed through collaboration among eight DRDO laboratories and nearly 150 industry partners and MSMEs, the ICS supports real-time tactical decision-making, including weapon selection, launch and guidance. Complementing this is the Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo, a modern and highly lethal submarine-launched weapon optimised for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare in open ocean environments.

Another highlight was the indigenously developed Air Independent Propulsion system, powered by a phosphoric acid fuel cell with an onboard hydrogen generator. The AIP enables submarines to remain submerged for extended periods while operating silently, significantly enhancing stealth and survivability. Modular in design, the system can be adapted for future submarine platforms. Together with other DRDO-developed systems showcased at the parade—including the Arjun Main Battle Tank, BrahMos missile, Akash air defence system and advanced artillery and surveillance platforms—the displays reaffirmed DRDO’s role as a cornerstone of India’s defence ecosystem and a key driver of the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

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