India ranks fourth in the world in terms of its ability to develop Mach 6 missiles, according to a recent report.
Mach 6 refers to a speed of 6 times the speed of sound. India has made significant progress in its missile development program and is now among the leading nations in this field. India recently tested its own Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSDTV) off the coast of Odisha. This technology is only possessed by three other countries – the US, China and Russia. The HSDTV will enable India to develop hypersonic missiles, which can travel at speeds faster than Mach 6 (six times the speed of sound).
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the test, with the aim of having a scramjet engine that can fly at altitudes of 15 to 20 km. A scramjet engine is a type of engine that can operate at hypersonic speeds. Hypersonic missiles are highly maneuverable and can deliver conventional or nuclear payloads within minutes. The HSDTV project will take another three to four years to be fully operational. In 2020, the DRDO successfully demonstrated hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the HSTDV flight test. The HSTDV will also have multiple civilian applications such as launching small satellites at low cost.
The successful test of the HSDTV puts India in the league of only four countries globally with the capability to develop Mach 6 missiles. This is a significant achievement for India’s defence sector, as the possession of hypersonic technology offers multiple strategic and military advantages. Not only does it increase India’s military capabilities, but the HSDTV project is also expected to provide a boost to the country’s economy by generating new opportunities for research, development, and innovation in the defence and aerospace industries.
Moreover, hypersonic technology also holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration, satellite launches, and many other civilian applications, providing India with an opportunity to be a leader in this field.
Overall, the successful test of the HSDTV is a testimony to India’s growing technological prowess and its commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities.