Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)

India’s indigenous Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) will be showcased at the Republic Day parade on January 26, underscoring India’s rapidly advancing maritime strike and deterrence capabilities and its progress in indigenous defence technology.

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

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed primarily for anti-ship warfare, with the capability to target enemy warships and aircraft carrier groups, and may later evolve into a land-attack variant.

Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) Technology

LRAShM uses a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), which distinguishes it from traditional ballistic missiles. Unlike ballistic missiles that follow a predictable, fixed trajectory, an HGV is launched atop a rocket, ascends to the upper atmosphere, and then glides toward its target along an unpredictable and maneuverable path.

This combination of extreme speed and evasive maneuverability makes the missile extremely difficult to detect and intercept using existing air and missile defence systems.

Comparison with Global Systems

The LRAShM is reported to outperform comparable systems, including China’s DF-17, in terms of range, technological sophistication, and guidance capabilities, placing India among a select group of nations with advanced hypersonic strike weapons.

Key Features of the LRAShM

The missile’s most distinctive feature is its delta-wing hypersonic glide vehicle, which enables highly complex, adaptive, and non-linear flight paths. The LRAShM is reported to have a range exceeding 1,500 kilometres, significantly extending India’s maritime strike reach.

The missile operates at speeds of Mach 10, or ten times the speed of sound, allowing it to strike enemy vessels within seven to eight minutes of launch. Such speed drastically reduces enemy reaction time.

Guidance, Accuracy, and Payload

The LRAShM is equipped with an advanced radio frequency (RF) seeker capable of functioning effectively at hypersonic speeds. This allows the missile to accurately engage moving targets, such as warships, a capability possessed by very few weapon systems globally.

The missile can be launched from both land-based platforms and naval vessels, providing significant operational flexibility. It is designed to carry multiple types of payloads, including conventional and nuclear warheads, enhancing its deterrence value.

Advanced Materials and Survivability

To withstand the extreme heat generated during hypersonic flight, the LRAShM incorporates special heat-resistant materials. These materials prevent structural degradation at high temperatures and represent a major advancement in scramjet and glide vehicle technologies.

Strategic Significance

The induction of LRAShM significantly strengthens India’s anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. It enhances naval deterrence, improves the survivability of strike assets, and reinforces India’s position as a leading power in next-generation missile technologies.