Tech Desk: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly evaluating an ambitious upgrade to its Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), aiming for an astounding 3,500-kilometre reach. This monumental leap, more than doubling its current 1,500km proven range, would transform the LR-AShM from a coastal defence tool into a strategic asset capable of neutralising distant naval threats deep in the ocean.

The extended-range variant will leverage the existing hypersonic boost-glide technology, which propels the missile to extreme speeds, potentially up to Mach 10, before gliding through the upper atmosphere. Achieving this unprecedented range demands complex engineering, including a complete overhaul of rocket motors, heat shielding, and advanced navigation systems. Scientists face significant hurdles in managing the intense friction and temperatures exceeding 2,000°C generated during extended hypersonic flight.

Accurate guidance over such vast distances is paramount. The future system will integrate India’s indigenous NavIC satellite network with robust internal sensors like fibre-optic gyroscopes, ensuring precision even in electronic warfare environments. This multi-layered navigation is critical to prevent target misses over thousands of kilometres.

A successful 3,500km LR-AShM would dramatically reshape regional security dynamics. It would establish a formidable anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zone, safeguarding India’s mainland and island territories from naval threats. Complementing existing weapons like the BrahMos, this ultra-fast, long-range missile would create an exceptionally difficult defence challenge for adversaries, marking a significant achievement in India’s long-range missile technology.