India has successfully test-fired hypersonic missile – Shourya. The state of the art nuclear capable missile was test fired at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon from the launch complex of Integrated Test Range at Chandipore near Balasore off Odisha coast. The hypersonic missile can carry conventional warheads upto 1 tonne and can fly at six to seven times the speed of sound at low altitudes. It is the land-variant of underwater-launched missile K-15 being fitted into nuclear-powered submarine Arihant. K-15 is already under production.

It is the second developmental trial of the missile. Shourya was earlier launched successfully on 12th of November in 2008. The missile will be inducted into the Indian Army soon. There will be no change in the configuration of the missile that can hit targets 750 km away. A highly maneuverable, two-stage missile, Shourya can be launched at different altitudes, even from a canister. The missile's maneuverability makes it less vulnerable to the present-day anti-missile defence systems.