DRDO to showcase hypersonic missile and submarine technologies at Republic Day 2026 celebrations
New Delhi, January 22. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will present some of its most advanced indigenous defence technologies during the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path and the Bharat Parv celebrations in 2026, the Ministry of Defence said.
Among the key highlights at the Republic Day parade will be the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), which will be displayed along with its launcher. Developed to meet the Indian Navy’s coastal defence requirements, the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of striking both static and moving targets. The missile can carry multiple payloads and features fully indigenous avionics and high-precision sensor systems.
The LR-AShM follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, reaching speeds of up to Mach 10 and maintaining an average speed of around Mach 5 through multiple manoeuvring skips. Its indigenously developed terminal-phase sensors enable it to accurately engage moving targets. Flying at low altitudes with high speed and agility, the missile is designed to evade detection by enemy ground- and ship-based radar systems for most of its flight.
The missile uses a two-stage solid propulsion system that accelerates it to hypersonic speeds. After the first stage separates, the second stage boosts the missile before burnout, following which it glides unpowered through the atmosphere while executing manoeuvres before striking the target.
In addition to the parade display, DRDO will showcase a dedicated tableau at Bharat Parv at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31, 2026. The tableau, themed ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’, will highlight indigenous systems developed to enhance the combat effectiveness of the Indian Navy’s conventional submarines.
The exhibit will feature the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), the Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT) and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. These systems are designed to act as force multipliers, strengthening India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
The ICS is a next-generation submarine combat management system that provides comprehensive situational awareness for underwater operations. It integrates threat detection, tactical decision-making and weapon control, enabling effective anti-submarine and combat missions. The system has been developed through collaboration among eight DRDO laboratories, with the involvement of around 150 industry partners and MSMEs across the country.
The WGHWT is a modern submarine-launched torpedo designed to counter advanced surface and underwater threats. Considered a critical weapon for anti-submarine warfare, it is intended to meet the Indian Navy’s growing requirements as it expands its submarine fleet to maintain dominance in blue-water operations.
The AIP system, meanwhile, is aimed at significantly increasing the underwater endurance and stealth of submarines. Based on indigenously developed phosphoric acid fuel cell technology and an onboard hydrogen generation system, the AIP allows submarines to generate power silently while submerged, without producing detectable noise. The modular design of the system also makes it adaptable for future submarine platforms.
Several other DRDO-developed platforms will be showcased as part of the armed forces contingents during the Republic Day parade. These include the Arjun Main Battle Tank, Nag Missile System (NAMIS-II), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, BrahMos missile, Akash air defence system, Battlefield Surveillance Radar and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
The Ministry of Defence said DRDO continues to play a central role in designing and developing cutting-edge systems for the armed forces, working closely with academia, industry and the services. The indigenous development of these technologies, it added, represents a significant step towards strengthening national security and advancing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) in defence, the Defence Ministry statement added.
