Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile Debuts At Republic Day Parade

India on Monday publicly showcased its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile for the first time, with a mobile launcher carrying the system rolling down Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy, is a long-range hypersonic glide weapon designed for maritime strike missions. Its appearance marked the first official visual confirmation of the programme, which has until now remained largely under wraps.

Defence officials said the missile is intended to strengthen India’s coastal defence and sea-denial capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. The system is believed to have a range of around 1,500 km in its current configuration, with future variants expected to extend this reach further. The missile operates at hypersonic speeds — above Mach 5 — significantly reducing reaction time for adversary naval forces.

The weapon follows a boost-glide profile, using a rocket booster to propel a hypersonic glide vehicle to high altitude before it manoeuvres toward its target at extreme speed. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, the glide vehicle can change course during flight, making interception more difficult.

The launcher displayed at the parade was a road-mobile, canisterised system, suggesting a role in shore-based deployment for anti-ship operations. A naval, ship-launched variant is also under development, according to officials familiar with the programme.

India joins a small group of countries, including the United States, Russia and China, that have demonstrated hypersonic anti-ship weapon capabilities. The public display comes amid growing focus on maritime security and naval competition in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

The government has not disclosed operational timelines or deployment details.