India set to test Project Vishnu missile, double the capabilities of BrahMos
Test runs for the ET-LDHCM are in preparations. Already being perceived as a game-changer for the Asia region, the indigenously developed hypersonic missile reportedly has a top speed of Mach 8 and a range of up to 1,500 km compared to the very successful BrahMos's top speed of Mach 3 and maximum range of 900 km.
New Delhi: After a breakthrough 1,000-second ground test of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) scramjet engine in April, defence sources suggested that India is likely to test the Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) soon. The game-changing missile has been developed indigenously by DRDO under a classified ‘Project Vishnu’.
Touted to change Asia’s military balance, the missile is part of DRDO’s much wider project of developing up to 12 different types and specifications of hypersonic missiles. The speed and range of these missiles will put India into an elite, selective group of nations, including the US, Russia and China, which have access to hypersonic cruise missiles. With a projected top speed of Mach 8 (approx. 11000 km/h) and a range of 1500 km, the capabilities of the missile stand at almost double that of the BrahMos missile, which has most recently proven its worth during Operation Sindoor.
The project is not only aimed at making attack missiles but also developing interceptor missiles to bolster India’s air defence system. These hypersonic missiles will defend Indian airspace from ballistic or cruise missiles, a capability which is greatly important, as illustrated in the recent conflict with Pakistan.
DRDO is also working on a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) called Dhwani and has set a target of 2030 to achieve operational capabilities. Developed on the groundwork laid by the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), these technologies will put enemies in neighbouring countries in hit-zone with extremely low reaction time. Additionally, advanced navigation and control systems will allow for target-updation, course corrections and radar evasion. The missile will be able to carry both conventional, as well as nuclear warheads and will have the ability to be launched from multiple platforms. Also, it will be built using heat-resistant and oxidation-resistant materials.
Notably, another hypersonic missile project in development is the Brahmos-II (K) named after former President and scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. These hypersonic missiles will provide India a much-needed edge in future conflicts. (Written by Lakshya Jha)