India successfully tests first long-range hypersonic missile

India successfully conducted a flight trial of its first long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha state on Saturday. Launched from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, it is capable of carrying various payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers.

According to the country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was monitored by multiple tracking systems deployed across different domains. Data collected from downrange ship stations confirmed precise terminal maneuvers and impact accuracy. The hypersonic missile was developed domestically by the DRDO’s laboratories at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with various partners from industry and research.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated the successful test in a post on X, calling it a historic milestone that positions India among a select group of nations possessing such critical and advanced military technologies.

Earlier this week, India successfully conducted the maiden test of a domestically developed land-attack long-range cruise missile.

Russia, China, and the United States are the leading nations in the hypersonic weapons field, although other countries like North Korea also claim to have conducted tests. This summer, South Korea’s military reported that the North had launched a hypersonic missile; however, they indicated that the test appeared to be unsuccessful.