Introduction
India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM is set to make its public debut during the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, in New Delhi. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), LRAShM—short for Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile—is a cutting-edge weapon designed to revolutionize India’s maritime strike capabilities. With its hypersonic speed and extended range, LRAShM positions India among the elite nations with advanced hypersonic missile technology.
What Is LRAShM?
India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM is a boost-glide weapon system engineered to target high-value naval assets such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, and strategic maritime infrastructure. It travels at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making it nearly impossible to intercept using conventional air defence systems.
Key Specifications:
- Range: 1,500 kilometers, with future variants expected to reach up to 3,500 km.
- Speed: Hypersonic (Mach 5+), enabling rapid strike capability.
- Guidance: Advanced indigenous sensors and avionics for precision targeting.
- Launch Platforms: Initially ship-based, with potential air and land-based variants.
- Payload: Configurable warheads for anti-ship and strategic missions.
Strategic Importance of LRAShM
Maritime Superiority in the Indo-Pacific
India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM is a game-changer for the Indian Navy. It enables long-range precision strikes deep into contested waters, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where naval competition is intensifying. LRAShM enhances India’s ability to deter adversaries and protect its maritime interests.
Hypersonic Deterrence Capability
Hypersonic missiles are redefining modern warfare. Their speed, maneuverability, and radar-evading flight paths make them formidable tools of deterrence. With LRAShM, India joins the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China in possessing operational hypersonic strike systems.
Indigenous Defence Innovation
The development of India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM reflects the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. DRDO’s Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) in Hyderabad has led the project, integrating homegrown propulsion, guidance, and control technologies. This reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthens India’s strategic autonomy.
Republic Day 2026: A Symbolic Showcase
The Republic Day Parade is India’s premier platform for showcasing its military and technological achievements. The unveiling of India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM will be a highlight of the event, symbolizing India’s leap into next-generation warfare.
Parade Highlights:
- Date: January 26, 2026
- Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi
- Display: A full-scale LRAShM model mounted on a DRDO float, accompanied by animated visuals of its flight path and strike capabilities.
- Audience: Defence attaches, foreign dignitaries, and strategic partners from around the world.
Technical Superiority of LRAShM
LRAShM employs a boost-glide trajectory, where a rocket booster propels the missile into the upper atmosphere, after which it glides at hypersonic speeds toward its target. This flight profile offers several advantages:
- Mid-course maneuverability for evasive action.
- Low radar cross-section, making detection difficult.
- Rapid time-to-target, reaching objectives in under 15 minutes across 1,500 km.
According to DRDO officials, LRAShM is equipped with AI-enhanced guidance systems, allowing it to autonomously track and engage moving targets with high precision.
Future Development Plans
DRDO has outlined a roadmap for expanding the capabilities of India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM:
- Extended range variants up to 3,500 km.
- Air-launched versions from fighter aircraft and bombers.
- Land-attack configurations for strategic inland targets.
- Swarm coordination for simultaneous multi-target engagement.
These upgrades will make LRAShM a versatile weapon across multiple domains—land, sea, and air.
Global Comparison
India’s entry into hypersonic missile technology places it alongside global powers. Here’s how LRAShM compares:
| Country | Missile Name | Speed | Range | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | LRAShM | Mach 5+ | 1,500 km | Anti-ship glide |
| USA | AGM-183 ARRW | Mach 5+ | ~1,600 km | Air-launched |
| Russia | Zircon | Mach 8–9 | ~1,000 km | Ship-launched |
| China | DF-17 | Mach 5+ | ~2,000 km | Land-based glide |
India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM stands out for its maritime focus and indigenous development.
Conclusion
The debut of India’s new 1,500-km hypersonic missile LRAShM at Republic Day 2026 marks a pivotal moment in India’s defence evolution. It showcases the nation’s ability to innovate, deter, and dominate in the emerging landscape of hypersonic warfare. With its unmatched speed, precision, and strategic reach, LRAShM is set to become a cornerstone of India’s maritime strike capability and a symbol of its technological self-reliance.