💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship September Batch

Indian Missile Program Updates

India’s Dhvani Hypersonic Missile

Why in the News?

The DRDO is preparing for the maiden test of the “Dhvani” hypersonic missile.

About the Dhvani Missile and Its Features

  • Overview: The Dhvani hypersonic missile is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of its advanced hypersonic weapons programme.
  • Type: It is designed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) — a next-generation missile system capable of travelling at hypersonic speeds (beyond Mach 5 or over 7,400 km/h) while performing sharp maneuvers at high altitudes.
  • Range and Speed:
    • Expected operational range: 6,000–10,000 km, potentially doubling the reach of India’s Agni-V ICBM.
    • Speed: Exceeds Mach 5, making interception nearly impossible with current missile defence systems.
  • Flight Mechanism:
    • Launched to extreme altitudes before entering a glide phase in the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds.
    • The glide vehicle can change direction mid-course, allowing unpredictable trajectories that evade radar and anti-missile systems.
  • Design and Engineering:
    • Length: ~9 metres; Width: ~2.5 metres.
    • Blended Wing-Body Configuration: Enhances lift and stability while reducing aerodynamic drag.
    • Thermal Protection System: Uses ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites capable of withstanding 2,000–3,000°C during re-entry.
    • Stealth Features: Angled surfaces and smooth contours minimise radar cross-section, making it virtually undetectable to enemy radars.
  • Development Heritage:
    • Builds upon DRDO’s success with the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which validated India’s scramjet propulsion and heat-resistant materials.
    • Represents the transition from technology demonstrator to operational weapon system, signalling India’s arrival in the hypersonic era.

Comparison with Global Hypersonic Systems:

System Name Type Speed (Mach) Operational Status
Russia Avangard HGV 20+ Deployed
China DF-ZF HGV 10 Deployed
United States Dark Eagle / HACM Hypersonic Glide / Cruise 8–10 In testing
India Dhvani (HGV) Hypersonic Glide Vehicle 5–6+ Pre-test stage (2025)

Strategic Significance for India:

  • Global Standing: Positions India alongside the U.S., Russia, and China in the exclusive club of hypersonic powers, showcasing its advanced defence R&D capacity.
  • Regional Deterrence: Creates a technological and strategic edge over Pakistan and provides a credible counterbalance to China’s hypersonic arsenal.
  • Survivability and Precision: The missile’s speed, stealth, and maneuverability make interception nearly impossible while enabling pinpoint strikes on both land and sea targets.
  • Indigenous Achievement: Developed entirely through Indian expertise, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in critical defence technologies.
  • Force Multiplier: Strengthens India’s nuclear deterrent and strategic triad, ensuring readiness for long-range precision and deterrence missions.
[UPSC 2014] Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.

2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.

3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only  (b) 2 and 3 only  (c) 1 and 3 only  (d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.