Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile Makes Landmark Republic Day Debut

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation). For the first time, India is showcasing its LRAShM (‘modern-day Brahmastra’) to the world in celebration of the 77th Republic Day. It is an indigenously developed hypersonic glide vehicle that represents a quantum leap in India’s maritime strike capabilities and stands as a potent symbol of India’s transition from a regional power to a global leader in advanced missile technology.

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What is the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)? 

The LRAShM is a sophisticated boost-glide hypersonic anti-ship system designed to neutralise high-value naval targets, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, from stand-off distances. Its debut of the LRAShM is a strategic signal to the international community. By successfully developing a ‘’carrier-killer’’ class missile, India joins an elite club of nations such as the US, Russia and China.

LRAShM, developed by the DRDO in collaboration with various industry partners at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, is a triumph of indigenous engineering.  It is also known as the ‘New Sentinel of the Seas’. It has the following key features: 

• Developed: It is developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) with the various industry partners.

• Type: Long-range Hypersonic Glide Missile (HGVs) 

• Purpose: Built for anti-ship roles 

• Payloads: both conventional and nuclear warheads 

• Speed: Travelling at a blistering Mach 10 (approx. 3.37 km/sec), far ahead of the present missile defence systems.

• Range: It can target the adversary up to 1500 km, which allows the Indian Navy to project power far beyond.   

• Precision: Equipped with advanced X-band synthetic-aperture radar and monopulse homing seekers, it also has ‘terminal manoeuvres’ to strike moving targets with pinpoint accuracy

• Sea Denial: Strengthens India’s “Sea Denial” strategy in the Indian Ocean Region and ensures a countable threat. 

• Countering A2/AD:  a direct counter to Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategies employed by adversaries to maintain freedom of navigation, 

• Special Heat-Resistant Materials: It has the ability to survive extreme temperatures (exceeding 2,000°C) during hypersonic flight.

• Deployment: LRAShM is a heavyweight in terms of dimensions and it has dual-deployment capabilities

• • Land-Based: Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL) stationed along the coastline to provide a "protective umbrella" over the Indian Ocean Region. 

  • Sea/Naval Based: Future integration into frontline warships and Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), which provide a mobile offensive edge.

The appearance of the LRAShM at the Republic Day 2026 parade is more than just a display of military hardware; it is a declaration of India's technological sovereignty. As it glides past the saluting base. It also reinforces message that India’s maritime borders are guarded by the very cutting edge of 21st-century science.

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