World · India Bureau
India to Deploy Long-Range Hypersonic Missile by 2027
India is preparing to induct the LR-AShM hypersonic cruise missile into its arsenal within the next three to four years, significantly enhancing its naval strike capabilities. The weapon system will feature an extended range of 1,500 kilometres and enter production by the late 2020s.
LSN India ·
India's defence establishment is advancing development of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), with induction timelines set between 2027 and 2029, according to defence sources. The missile represents a substantial upgrade to India's maritime strike potential and reflects the country's growing technological capabilities in hypersonic weapons systems.
The LR-AShM will carry a maximum operational range of 1,500 kilometres, providing Indian naval forces with extended reach across regional waters. The weapon's hypersonic velocity—travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 5—offers significant tactical advantages, enabling rapid target engagement and complicating interception efforts.
Production schedules indicate an initial manufacturing phase of 10 to 15 units annually, with output expected to scale substantially as production matures. Defence planners anticipate ramping up production to between 25 and 40 units per year in subsequent phases, enabling rapid fleet modernisation.
The missile's development aligns with India's broader naval modernisation strategy and defence posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Military analysts view the LR-AShM as a critical addition to India's air and surface vessel-based strike platforms, enhancing deterrence capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Photo: The LR-AShM long-range anti-ship hypersonic missile at the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, New Delhi, January 2026. Press Information Bureau, Government of India, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).