India, a nuclear-armed power, announced on Sunday November 17 that it had tested its first long-range hypersonic missile, a “important step”welcomed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
The country is making public its possession of this ultra-fast high-tech weapon, days after its Chinese rival presented its latest advances in military aviation.
Hypersonic missiles fly lower and are more difficult to detect than ballistic missiles. They can reach targets faster and be ordered to change targets in mid-flight. The United States, Russia, China and North Korea have all tested hypersonic missiles, and several other countries are developing the technology.
New Delhi's announcement comes just days after India's neighbor and rival China put its growing air capabilities on display at an air show, displaying the J-2 stealth fighter jet. 35A as well as attack drones.
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The Indian missile took off from Abdul Kalam Island on the east coast on Saturday. Footage released by India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) showed a thin missile exploding in the night sky, followed by a surge of flames.
“This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has placed our country among the select group of nations that have critical and advanced military technologies”underlined the Minister of Defense.
New Delhi has strengthened its defense cooperation with Western countries in recent years, particularly within the Quad, an alliance that includes the United States, Japan and Australia.
India is also buying Russian military equipment, including S-400 missile defense systems, despite the threat of US sanctions over the multibillion-dollar deal between the two countries.
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