New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase its cutting-edge defence technologies during the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path and Bharat Parv 2026, underscoring India’s growing technological self-reliance in national security. Among the headline exhibits are the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) and the DRDO tableau themed ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’.
LR-AShM at Kartavya Path
DRDO will display the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) along with its launcher during the Republic Day Parade. Designed to meet the Indian Navy’s coastal battery requirements, the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging both static and moving maritime targets while carrying multiple payload configurations.
The missile is a first-of-its-kind indigenous system, featuring advanced avionics and high-precision sensor packages developed within the country. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, achieving hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 10, with an average cruise speed of Mach 5, incorporating multiple atmospheric skips.
Flying at low altitude with exceptional speed and manoeuvrability, the LR-AShM remains largely undetectable by enemy ground- and ship-based radar systems throughout most of its flight path. Indigenous terminal-phase sensors enable precise engagement of moving targets.
The missile employs a two-stage solid propulsion system. After Stage-I separation, Stage-II accelerates the missile to hypersonic velocity, followed by an unpowered atmospheric glide phase with programmed manoeuvres before target engagement.
DRDO Tableau at Bharat Parv
The DRDO tableau will be displayed at Bharat Parv, Red Fort, from 26 to 31 January 2026. Titled ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’, the tableau will showcase indigenously developed systems that significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of conventional submarines of the Indian Navy.
Key technologies on display include:
- Integrated Combat Suite (ICS)
- Wire-Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT)
- Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System
These systems act as force multipliers, strengthening India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
The Integrated Combat Suite (ICS) is a next-generation submarine combat management system critical for underwater and anti-submarine warfare. Designed as a “system of systems,” ICS delivers comprehensive situational awareness and enables rapid tactical decision-making, including weapon selection, launch, and guidance. The project represents a collaborative effort of eight DRDO laboratories, supported by over 150 major industry partners and MSMEs across India.
The Wire-Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT) is a state-of-the-art submarine-launched weapon designed to counter modern surface and sub-surface threats. As the primary weapon of submarines, the WGHWT offers high speed, endurance, and lethality, strengthening the Navy’s ability to maintain dominance in blue-water and strategic maritime operations.
The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system enhances submarine stealth by enabling extended underwater endurance. Powered by an indigenously developed phosphoric acid fuel cell and a novel onboard hydrogen generator, the AIP system generates silent power by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The modular technology is adaptable for future submarine platforms, ensuring long-term operational relevance.
Additional DRDO Systems on Display
Several other DRDO-developed defence platforms will feature in the Armed Forces contingents at Kartavya Path, including:
- Arjun Main Battle Tank
- Nag Missile System (NAMIS-II)
- Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System
- BrahMos Missile
- Akash Air Defence System
- Battlefield Surveillance Radar
- Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems
DRDO continues to play a pivotal role as the design and development backbone of India’s Armed Forces. By partnering with academia, industry, and defence services, the organisation remains committed to advancing Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous, state-of-the-art defence technologies—marking a significant stride towards strategic autonomy and self-reliance in national security.
