India successfully tests Tomahawk-like cruise missile
What's the story
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha's coast. The missile hit its target at a distance of 1,000km, achieving all test objectives and overcoming challenges faced in previous development phases. The LRLACM is an indigenous missile with subsystems developed by various DRDO labs and Indian industry partners.
Missile comparison
What is the LRLACM missile?
The LRLACM is often likened to the United States' Tomahawk cruise missile. It is a next-generation weapon designed for precision strikes against high-value land targets. The missile can fly at low altitudes and at different speeds, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect it. With a range of up to 1,500km, the LRLACM could significantly boost India's long-range precision strike capabilities.
Missile progress
LRLACM to replace Nirbhay cruise missile
The LRLACM is a major upgrade over the earlier Nirbhay cruise missile project, which had faced several failures during tests between 2013 and 2020. The new missile will undergo two more developmental trials followed by two user trials before it is considered for induction into the Indian Armed Forces over the next two years.