India Surges Ahead With Hypersonic Missile Test: 3X Faster Than BrahMos
Between July 14 and 16, 2025, India made global headlines by reportedly testing its most advanced missile yet: the Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) under Project Vishnu. Developed by DRDO with fully indigenous technology, this missile can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 8—three times faster than the world-renowned BrahMos—and strike targets over 1,500 km away.
What Makes Project Vishnu Special?
- ET-LDHCM uses a scramjet engine, letting it sustain blistering speeds above 11,000 km/h and maneuver mid-flight, making interception nearly impossible for current air defence systems.
- Unlike BrahMos, the ET-LDHCM can carry 1,000–2,000 kg warheads (conventional or nuclear) and operates at low altitudes, sneaking past enemy radar.
- Designed for deep precision strikes, it brings hardened targets like bunkers, warships, and enemy bases well within reach—even those inside China and Pakistan.
Strategic Impact
- This test, though unofficial, marks India’s entry into an elite global club with hypersonic missile capability, alongside the US, Russia, and China.
- With local MSMEs and private defence players involved, it boosts Make-in-India, jobs, and self-reliance in strategic tech.
- Defence experts call this a game-changer for South Asia, tilting the military balance and dramatically improving India’s deterrence and rapid-response potential.
With Project Vishnu, India has officially entered the hypersonic age, challenging adversaries’ defences and setting the stage for a new era in indigenous missile technology.
What development in Indian defence tech excites you most? 🚀
