LONG RANGE ANTI-SHIP HYPERSONIC MISSILE (LR-ASHM)

NEWS: India is showcasing its indigenous, cutting edge missile technology by displaying a hypersonic anti-ship missile developed by DRDO at the Republic Day parade

LR-AShM

• LR-AShM = Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile
• Hypersonic glide missile: Travels at Mach 5+ (5 times the speed of sound)
• Designed to destroy enemy ships
• Can hit: Static targets (stationary ships / ports), Moving targets (warships at sea)
• Very high precision

Hypersonic glide missile:

• Boosted initially by a rocket
• Then glides at hypersonic speed in the upper atmosphere
• Flies lower than ballistic missiles

Advantages:

• Very difficult to detect
• Hard to intercept by missile defence systems
• Extremely short reaction time for enemy

LR-AShM strategically important for India

• Strengthens India’s position in: Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Acts as a sea-denial weapon
• Prevents enemy ships from entering sensitive zones
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence