Bhubaneswar, May 3: India has successfully conducted the second test of its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM) developed by DRDO. The test, conducted off the Odisha coast, validated the missile's two-stage hypersonic glide vehicle configuration. With a strike range exceeding 1,500 km and speeds of up to Mach 10, the missile enhances India’s maritime defence capabilities, particularly against regional competitors like China and Pakistan.

While the DRDO and Ministry of Defence have not issued official statements, the BJP shared a video of the test, calling it a "sharp enhancement of India's hypersonic edge" and aligning with Prime Minister Modi's vision for a self-reliant India. The missile’s average glide speed of Mach 5 enables it to bypass advanced radar and interception systems.

The LR-AShM, capable of striking high-value targets such as aircraft carriers, uses a two-stage solid rocket system and a hypersonic glide vehicle. Its unpredictable flight paths, including low-altitude maneuvers, make it difficult to intercept. This test further strengthens India’s defence self-reliance and highlights its progress in indigenous missile technology.