India successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile, joining the ranks of a few countries possessing such advanced weaponry. Experts say that this indigenous advanced technology will help India gain a strategic advantage over regional competitors, making China and others uneasy.
On November 17, India announced the successful launch of an indigenous hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha in Eastern India, joining the likes of the United States, Russia, and China in possessing hypersonic missile capabilities.
The Indian government stated that the missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and can carry various effective payloads with a range exceeding 1500 kilometers. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “This is a historic moment and this technological advancement places our country among the advanced nations in military technology.”
Hypersonic missiles are considered cutting-edge technology in current missile systems. These missiles travel at speeds over five times the speed of sound, possess high maneuverability, fly at low altitudes, can adjust attack targets during flight, and are more challenging to track and intercept compared to conventional ballistic missiles.
According to a report by Nikkei News on December 27, defense and strategic affairs expert N.C. Bipindra, editor of the online defense news website Defence.Capital, noted that the hypersonic missile test signifies India’s further advancement in gaining strategic advantage over its two strategic adversaries – China and Pakistan.
Bipindra mentioned that the successful test not only equips India with capabilities rivaling China but also allows India to overcome Pakistan’s air defense capabilities.
Raj Kumar Sharma, a senior researcher at NatStrat, an independent think tank focusing on Indian national security and foreign policies, stated that hypersonic missiles, with their speed, precision, long range, short response time, and difficulty in interception, can change the rules of the game in any conflict by attacking opponent defense systems such as anti-aircraft systems.
However, Bipindra added that “all countries including India have more work to do in hypersonic technology, and progress is being made.”
He further explained that India’s demonstration of its hypersonic capabilities signals a message to China not to be ignored.
Uma Sudhindra, a member of the advisory council of the Pune-based Strategic Research and Growth Foundation, mentioned that India has been investing in hypersonic missile programs since the 2000s.
“The test firing by India indicates its march towards a diversified strategic capability and enhancing deterrence by bolstering traditional combat advantages,” she said.
Earlier this year, India and China reached a resolution in their dispute over the northern territory of Ladakh, ending over four years of military standoff. Bipindra stated that India “will continue to build its military capability against Beijing.”
“India cannot trust China, and the current thaw in relations between the two countries is just a temporary measure,” he added. “China will attempt another adventure, especially under Xi’s leadership, so India needs to be prepared with the best military technology to counter any adventurous actions by China.”
Former U.S. Strategic Command Commander, General John E. Hyten, once stated that when other long-range strike capabilities are unable to be used due to factors like denial, hypersonic weapons can quickly strike distant, heavily protected, or time-sensitive targets.
In recent years, India has strengthened military cooperation with Western countries, including the establishment of the “Quad Security Dialogue” mechanism with the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Besides the United States, Russia, and China, reports also suggest that countries like North Korea, Iran, Japan, Israel, South Korea, and Brazil are also committed to developing hypersonic weapons.