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India enters elite ballistic missile club after DRDO conducts three successful flight tests

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed a new generation of ballistic missile capability with three consecutive successful flight tests. Officials say the country now belongs to an elite group with independent production and range capability. The development will be closely watched for its regional security implications.

Silhouette of a rocket launch pad at dawn
Silhouette of a rocket launch pad at dawnPhoto: SpaceX / Pexels
Economic Times4 d ago

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the country has entered the elite ballistic missile club after three consecutive successful flight tests. According to Economic Times, officials stressed the new-generation system was designed, produced and integrated entirely indigenously. Range and accuracy parameters of the programme were not detailed in the official statement.

India has gradually expanded its ballistic missile capability through the past decade, and the current system features modular architecture that allows rapid range tuning, according to defence analysts. Among regional powers, Pakistan and China have long held ballistic capability, so the new Indian systems add a fresh variable to the South Asian strategic balance.

International observers will watch how the system is integrated into India's existing strategic deterrence doctrine. India is reported to have formally joined the conventional club of ballistic-capable states alongside the US, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. This article is not political or defence advice.

GeopoliticsRegulationAsiaEconomic Times
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by Economic Times. The illustration is a stock photo by SpaceX from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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