Although the situation on the LAC is currently normal, the Indian Army is more vigilant and alert than ever before. Following the incident at the Galwan LAC and the tensions between Pakistan and India that rose during Operation Sindoor, India has now started planning for the future in a pre-emptive manner. India has begun working on an Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile developed by DRDO.
The Indian Navy is in the pursuit of strengthening its arsenal to meet the needs of multi-domain warfare. DRDO’s long-range anti-ship missile, the LR-ASHM, is emerging as the go-to choice due to its high hypersonic speeds. This indigenous missile is now entering serial production, and its arrival will make the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) a significant threat to Chinese Navy aircraft carriers in any conflict.
These missiles can reach a speed of Mach 10 and a range of over 1,500 kilometers. The missile is not just a weapon but a strategic deterrent, capable of destroying enemy carrier strike groups from afar. Such weaponry is crucial to ensure that India’s extended maritime areas remain protected and to make China reconsider its naval plans during any tension in the Himalayan region.
What is the speed of the LR-ASHM Hypersonic Missile?
With the changing global security environment, India is placing special focus on the development of hypersonic missiles. DRDO is continually working in this direction. The LR-ASHM is the result of these efforts. The missile is capable of attacking enemies at Mach 10, or 12,348 kilometers per hour. Due to its hypersonic speed, this missile can destroy its target almost instantly.
Beyond speed, the missile also has the ability to cover tremendous distances, striking warships from hundreds of kilometers away. With China expanding its maritime deterrence policy, any intrusion into Indian waters would have to face the brunt of hypersonic missile attacks. The missile was developed at the DR. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad in collaboration with partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Its design allows it to lift off from a rocket, glide at Mach 5+ speeds, and strike unexpectedly.
The new missiles are expected to reach the final production stage by October 2025. DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat described it as a major step forward in India’s naval strike capability. With a speed of Mach 10 and a range of over 1,500 km, the missile is far superior to missiles like the American Harpoon or the Indian BrahMos.
User trials are expected to be completed by 2027–28, and integration into both land and sea platforms will begin thereafter. The missiles will be integrated into naval aircraft carriers and other ships starting in 2029, aligning with India’s naval expansion plan of 175 warships.
The LR-ASHM uses scramjet-like technology to maintain hypersonic flight and can fly at low altitudes while evading radar—a hallmark of DRDO’s HSTDV program. The cost of each missile is set at less than Rs 50 crore, and the goal is to produce over 200 missiles per year by 2030.
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