In News:

Indian scientists, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have successfully developed and tested a hypersonic missile named Brahmastra, officially called the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM). It represents a major milestone in indigenous defence technology.

Key Features of Brahmastra (LRAShM)

• Type: Hypersonic glide missile
• Developer: DRDO
• Speed: Mach 10 (≈12,144 km/h) — 10 times the speed of sound
• Range: 1,500 km
• Flight Time to Target: Can destroy enemy warships within 7–8 minutes of launch
• Launch Platforms: Compatible with both land and naval platforms
• Technology:
  • Scramjet propulsion and glide vehicle technology
  • Advanced heat-resistant materials to withstand extreme thermal conditions
  • Radar evasion and trajectory maneuverability, making interception extremely difficult

Strategic Significance

• Naval Superiority: Enhances India’s maritime strike capabilities, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Counter to China: Outperforms China’s DF-17 missile, which has a shorter range (1,000 km).
• Quick Response: For instance, a warship near Pakistan’s Karachi port could be neutralized within 4–5 minutes from India’s western coastline.
• Technological Benchmark: Establishes India’s lead in scramjet and hypersonic glide vehicle technology.

Comparative Edge Over Global Counterparts

• China's DF-17: Also hypersonic (Mach 10) but limited to a 1,000 km range.
• U.S. Programs: Still under testing; India’s successful deployment marks it as a front-runner in this emerging domain.
• Strategic Camouflage: Experts speculate India may have publicly understated the missile's actual capabilities for security reasons.