India has tested a long-range hypersonic missile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.

The missile was launched on Saturday from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the east coast.

According to the Atlantic Council, only the United States, China and Russia have demonstrated hypersonic capabilities. North Korea and the Houthis in Yemen have also claimed to have tested such missiles.

Hypersonic weapons can reach speeds more than five times the speed of sound.

A major milestone for India’s defense capabilities

“This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has placed our country in the select group of nations with such critical and advanced military technology capabilities,” Singh posted on Facebook.

According to a government statement, the Defense Research and Development Organization and industrial partners developed the missile to carry payloads over distances greater than 1,500 km (930 miles).

“Flight data… confirmed successful terminal maneuvers and impact with a high degree of accuracy,” the government said.

In recent years, New Delhi has strengthened its defense cooperation with Western countries, mainly through the Quad alliance, which brings together the United States, Japan and Australia.

What happened in Delyatyn?

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lo/tg (AFP, Reuters)