India DRDO’s LR-AShM Missile.
DRDO Hypersonic LR-AShM Missile Serial Production: New Delhi, India – In a significant advancement for India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully transitioned its Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) hypersonic weapon system into serial production. This breakthrough, announced by Dr. Anil Kumar, Director of DRDO’s Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), marks a critical leap in India’s indigenous hypersonic strike capability and maritime deterrence.
The LR-AShM, part of DRDO‘s integrated hypersonic programme, has undergone rigorous flight validation tests, showcasing outstanding performance in several key areas. The missile has demonstrated superior aerodynamic stability, thermal resistance, terminal accuracy, and sustained hypersonic speeds. With the ability to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, it combines precision targeting with a highly adaptable flight path, enabling it to outmaneuver enemy defences and strike high-value maritime targets with precision.
The missile’s propulsion system is based on an advanced dual-stage configuration. It incorporates a solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration and a scramjet engine for sustained hypersonic cruise. This innovative propulsion setup gives the LR-AShM a range of between 700 and 1,000 kilometres, positioning it as one of the longest-range anti-ship missiles in development by any global maritime power.
A Game-Changer for India’s Maritime Defence
The LR-AShM is specifically designed for maritime strike roles, ensuring India’s naval forces maintain an edge in regional and global power projection. The missile can be launched from multiple platforms, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, the upcoming Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighters (TEDBF), and naval surface vessels. This versatility across platforms enhances its strategic value, allowing it to be deployed in a range of combat scenarios.
Equipped with advanced guidance systems, the LR-AShM integrates both active radar and infrared seekers, along with secure navigation capabilities. This sophisticated combination allows for precise targeting of high-value naval assets, making the missile an essential tool for securing India’s interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Strategic Production and Collaboration
With serial production now officially underway, DRDO has entered into partnerships with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and other strategic collaborators to establish dedicated manufacturing lines. This marks the beginning of early batch production, and the missile is expected to be integrated into India’s naval and air platforms in the near future.
The LR-AShM’s development and entry into serial production is a major step in strengthening India’s maritime defence, enhancing its regional deterrence capabilities, and bolstering the country’s standing as a global player in advanced weapons technology. The successful implementation of this hypersonic missile system underscores India’s growing technological self-reliance, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of hypersonic weapons.
A Leap in Defence Technology and Strategic Deterrence
This milestone underscores DRDO’s ongoing efforts to elevate India’s technological prowess in critical areas of defence. The LR-AShM’s successful transition to serial production signals India’s readiness to equip its military forces with next-generation, indigenously developed weapons systems that ensure a robust and credible deterrent in a complex global security environment.
As the world’s naval power dynamics continue to shift, India’s hypersonic missile capabilities are set to play a crucial role in safeguarding its maritime interests and enhancing its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific.