New Delhi is gearing up for a spectacular display of indigenous defense prowess during the 77th Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will unveil groundbreaking innovations at Kartavya Path and Bharat Parv, underscoring India’s commitment to national security through homegrown technology.
Leading the showcase is the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-ASHM), a game-changer designed specifically for the Indian Navy’s coastal defense needs. Mounted on a launcher, this missile will roll down the ceremonial boulevard, captivating onlookers with its cutting-edge capabilities. As India’s first hypersonic glide missile equipped with indigenous avionics and precision sensors, LR-ASHM can strike both stationary and moving targets with devastating accuracy, carrying a variety of payloads.
Propelled by a two-stage solid rocket motor, the missile accelerates to hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10, following a semi-ballistic trajectory with multiple skips to maintain an average Mach 5.0. Its low-altitude flight path, combined with high speed and maneuverability, renders it nearly invisible to enemy ground and ship-based radars for most of its journey. Post-burnout, it glides unpowered through the atmosphere, executing precise maneuvers before terminal impact, aided by homegrown sensors for dynamic target engagement.
Complementing the parade highlight, DRDO’s float themed ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’ will grace Bharat Parv at Red Fort from January 26 to 31, 2026. This exhibit spotlights force multipliers for conventional submarines, including the Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), Wire-Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WG HWT), and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. These technologies promise underwater dominance, enhancing stealth and endurance.
The ICS represents a next-generation submarine defense system, integrating multiple subsystems to provide unparalleled situational awareness. It enables tactical decisions on weapon selection, launch, and guidance by painting a comprehensive threat picture. Developed collaboratively by eight DRDO labs and over 150 industry partners, including MSMEs, ICS exemplifies ecosystem-driven innovation.
WG HWT, a state-of-the-art submarine-launched torpedo, counters contemporary maritime threats from ships and subs. Essential for anti-submarine warfare, it supports the Indian Navy’s expanding fleet, vital for blue-water operations and strategic superiority across vast oceans.
AIP, powered by a locally developed phosphoric acid fuel cell with an onboard hydrogen generator, extends submerged endurance silently, boosting stealth. Modular by design, it’s adaptable for future submarines, generating power via hydrogen-oxygen reactions without noise.
Armed forces contingents will also demonstrate advanced systems like Arjun Main Battle Tank, Nag Missile (NAMIS-II), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, BrahMos, Akash, Battlefield Surveillance Radar, and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. DRDO’s role as a design agency fosters Atmanirbhar Bharat, partnering across defense ecosystem for self-reliance in cutting-edge technologies.
