Drones, hypersonic missile, long-range strike in spotlight

India’s 77th Republic Day military parade at Kartavya Path in the national capital on Monday showcased the growing adoption of autonomous technologies, along with a focus on long-range precision strike and hypersonic capability, together reflecting the armed forces’ efforts to keep pace with the evolving nature of conflict and military technology.

- BHASWAR KUMAR

In what was arguably the parade’s most significant highlight— and a reflection of the Indian Navy's growing strike capabilities — the Defence Research and Development Organisation showcased the country’s first hypersonic weapon, the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile, along with its launch system. The weapon's first successful flight test in November 2024 placed India among a select group of nations, including China, Russia and the United States, to have achieved hypersonic missile capability.