India achieves successful hypersonic missile test

NEW DELHI: Nuclear-armed India has tested its first hypersonic missile, the defence minister said on Sunday, days after rival China showcased its latest military aviation capabilities, touting the superfast high-tech weapon.

Hypersonic missiles are new frontiers in technology, as they fly lower and are harder to detect than ballistic missiles, can reach targets more quickly, and can be commanded to change targets mid-flight.

The United States, Russia, China and North Korea have all tested hypersonic missiles, and several others are developing the technology.

“India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing a long-range hypersonic missile,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement.

The test flight came days after rival and neighbour China showcased its growing aviation capabilities at an air show, showcasing the J-35A stealth fighter jet and attack drones.

According to Chinese state media, it also included the launch of the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles.

India’s missile landed on Saturday off Abdul Kalam Island off the east coast.

Video images released by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showed a slender missile exploding into the night sky, followed by flames shooting up.

“This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the select group of countries that possess such important and advanced military technology capabilities,” Singh added.

No further details about the missile were given.

New Delhi has deepened defence cooperation with Western countries in recent years, including the Quad alliance with the US, Japan and Australia.

India is also a major buyer of Russian military hardware, including Moscow’s S-400 missile defense system – despite the threat of US sanctions on the multi-billion dollar deal.