India’s Unverified 3500 Km Hypersonic Missile Claim Exposes A Reckless Push To Destabilise The Arabian Sea

Indian defence site idrw reported on 1 November, citing an unnamed source, that DRDO will validate an extended range of 3500 km for its Long Range Anti Ship Hypersonic Missile before production clearance, up from 1500 km.

The report says the change needs only software upgrades and new trajectory profiles, that two to three trials are planned, and that production clearance is expected by 2028 or 2029. It adds that both stages come from the K 4 submarine launched ballistic missile, and that a ground to ground version has been offered to the Indian Army and Air Force.

The claim is unverified, and there is no statement from DRDO, the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Navy.

BACKGROUND

The Press Information Bureau said on 17 November 2024 that DRDO carried out the first flight trial of the missile from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha on 16 November, for ranges greater than 1500 km, and that ship data confirmed terminal manoeuvres and accurate impact.

ANALYSIS

At 1500 km the missile already covers the sea approaches to Karachi, Ormara and Gwadar, and at 3500 km it would reach the Gulf of Oman and Hormuz with only minutes of warning. Shared stages with the K 4 and a planned ground attack version add ambiguity over nuclear and conventional use and raise pressure on Pakistani missile defence and hypersonic programmes. Production is not expected before 2028.

Source idrw, PIB

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