A missile that outruns defences - What’s India really building?

Abigail Johnson Boakye — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:30:51 Z

This scramjet-powered weapon achieved sustained flight at Mach 8 for over 1,500 km, with a payload capacity between 1,000–2,000 kg and the ability to perform mid-course manoeuvres, capabilities thought to overwhelm even Israel’s Iron Dome and Russia’s feared S‑500 missile system.

Unlike medium‑range interceptors like Iron Dome (range: 4–70 km) or unproven high-end rivals, the ET‑LDHCM’s high-speed, low-altitude cruise profile makes it extremely difficult to detect or intercept.

It is also platform-agnostic, launchable from land, sea, or air, which expands its strategic versatility across the Indo-Pacific theatre.

India now joins the exclusive club of nations with indigenous hypersonic missile tech alongside the U.S., China, and Russia .

With a possible nuclear or conventional payload, long strike range, and flexible launch options, the ET‑LDHCM could shift Asia’s military powers.

Global South World - strategic

A missile that outruns defences - What’s India really building?