DRDO’S HYPERSONIC GLIDE VEHICLE- DHVANI
Why in News?
- India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the first test of “Dhvani”, a next-generation hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).
- If successful, Dhvani will place India among an elite group of countries — US, Russia, and China — that possess hypersonic missile capability, representing a major leap in India’s strategic deterrence and defence technology.
KEY FEATURES OF DHVANI
| Parameter | Details |
| Type | Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) |
| Speed | > Mach 5 (i.e., > 6,174 km/h) |
| Range | Estimated 6,000 to 10,000 km |
| Launch Platform | Ballistic missile (likely derived from Agni-series) |
| Flight Profile | Launched to high altitude, then glides at hypersonic speed with maneuverability |
| Length & Width | ~9 meters long, 2.5 meters wide |
| Stealth Features | Blended wing-body design, reduced radar cross-section |
| Thermal Shielding | Ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites (withstand 2,000–3,000°C during re-entry) |
| Expected Deployment | By 2029–30, if trials succeed |
WHAT MAKES DHVANI DIFFERENT?
- Speed + Maneuverability: Unlike conventional ballistic or cruise missiles, Dhvani can alter course mid-flight, making it hard to detect, track or intercept.
- Stealth Geometry: Angled surfaces and smooth contours minimize radar signature.
- Thermal Resistance: Advanced ceramics protect it during reentry — a key requirement at hypersonic speeds.
- Indigenous Tech: Developed entirely by DRDO, showcasing self-reliance in critical military tech.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
Dhvani builds on earlier DRDO projects like:
- HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle): Successfully tested; validated scramjet propulsion and thermal shielding.
- Agni series missiles: Provide the launch platform and guidance systems.
GLOBAL CONTEXT
|
Country |
Weapon |
Status |
| Russia | Avangard | Operational |
| China | DF-ZF | Operational |
| USA | Dark Eagle, HACM | Under development |
| India | Dhvani (HGV) | Test phase |
India’s Dhvani aims to match or surpass global counterparts in range, stealth, and precision, but with homegrown technology.
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
1. Credible Nuclear Deterrent:
- Hypersonic HGVs cannot be intercepted by current missile defence systems.
- Enhances India’s second-strike capability, strengthening nuclear doctrine.
2. Regional Power Projection:
- Creates a technological gap with adversaries, especially Pakistan, whose missile defences are outdated.
- China cannot ignore Dhvani’s capability — rebalances regional military asymmetries.
3. Make in India in Defence:
- Entirely indigenous R&D shows success of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in critical tech sectors.
- Reduces reliance on imports in high-tech weapons systems.
4. Changing Nature of Warfare:
- Represents shift from traditional ballistic missiles to maneuverable, hypersonic delivery systems.
- India is no longer catching up — it’s shaping future warfare trends.
CONCLUSION
Dhvani is not just a missile — it is India’s message to the world that it is ready to lead in next-gen strategic technology. As a symbol of scientific advancement, national security, and self-reliance, Dhvani reflects India’s emergence as a technologically sophisticated global power in the evolving geopolitics of deterrence and defence.
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