Building on the momentum of Operation Sindoor, India is accelerating its march towards self-reliance in defence technology with a string of big-ticket projects ranging from advanced missile systems and fighter jets to radar networks and unmanned platforms. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are spearheading these initiatives in what officials describe as “mission mode" execution, aimed at meeting ambitious deadlines.

At the heart of this drive is the country’s hypersonic weapons programme. In a development seen as a potential game-changer, DRDO is preparing to test a new class of hypersonic missile, christened Dhvani, by the end of 2025. Described as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), the missile is designed to fly at speeds exc

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