India has announced the successful testing of a domestically developed long-range hypersonic missile, marking a significant milestone in its military advancements and joining a limited number of countries with this sophisticated technology.

The global race for hypersonic weaponry is part of the strategic initiatives of several nations, including India, which is working to enhance its long-range missile capabilities alongside China, Russia, and the United States.

The missile, created by the state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with industry partners, is intended to deliver payloads over distances greater than 1,500 km (930 miles) for military applications, as stated by the government.

“The flight data … confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy,” the statement noted.

The test was conducted from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, located off the eastern coast of Odisha state, on Saturday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the test as a “historic achievement” in a post on X, emphasizing that it positions India among a select group of nations with access to such vital and advanced technologies.