The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is poised to redefine strategic deterrence with the impending inaugural test of its hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), Dhvani, by the end of 2025. Capable of Mach 21 speeds—exceeding 25,000 km/h—and a range surpassing 5,500 km, this maneuverable powerhouse promises to evade conventional defenses, delivering precision strikes with nuclear or conventional payloads.
Spearheaded by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Dr. S. Christopher, Dhvani builds on lessons from the HSTDV scramjet demonstrator tested in 2020. Unlike ballistic missiles, its unpredictable glide trajectory post-rocket boost renders interception nearly impossible, addressing vulnerabilities exposed during the 2025 Operation Sindoor cross-border strikes. A senior DRDO source revealed that final ground trials, including inertial navigation system (INS) integration with global navigation satellites, are underway to ensure jamming resistance and pinpoint accuracy.
This development arrives amid heightened Indo-Pacific frictions, with China’s hypersonic arsenal and Pakistan’s reported acquisitions amplifying threats along the LAC and LoC. Dhvani’s dual-capable design aligns with India’s no-first-use nuclear policy while enhancing conventional rapid-response options. Integration with platforms like the Agni-VI or BrahMos-II will extend its reach, potentially covering all of Eurasia from Indian soil.
Budgetary support under the 2025-26 defence outlay—₹6.81 lakh crore—prioritizes hypersonics, with ₹10,000 crore allocated for DRDO’s missile cluster. Collaborations with private firms like Tata Advanced Systems for composite materials accelerate timelines, eyeing serial production by 2028. As adversaries accelerate their programs, Dhvani’s debut could tilt the strategic balance, cementing India’s status as a hypersonic frontrunner.
