Veteran Scientist Sudhir Kumar Mishra Reveals Successful Hypersonic Engine Trials at Powering Bharat Summit
India is edging closer to a significant military milestone with the anticipated unveiling of its first indigenous hypersonic missile system, which will be capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5. This revelation was made by Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, a senior Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist and former Managing Director & CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, during the Powering Bharat Summit held on May 16. The event was hosted by Network18 in partnership with Moneycontrol, News18 India, and CNBC Awaaz.
Speaking in a panel discussion titled Defending Bharat: Indian Drones, Missiles, Defence Tech, Mishra informed the audience that DRDO had recently conducted successful trials of a hypersonic engine. The completion of this critical development phase is paving the way for the rollout of India’s fastest-ever missile system, capable of traversing the skies at hypersonic velocities.
“Two-three weeks back, we tested a hypersonic engine. Soon, we will come out with a hypersonic missile that will reach Mach 5 speed,” Mishra stated, highlighting the indigenous nature of the technology. Emphasizing India’s growing self-reliance in missile manufacturing, he pointed out that even the world’s largest missile launcher was developed in-house by DRDO.
Highlights:
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DRDO has successfully tested a hypersonic engine in recent weeks.
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Upcoming missile will fly at Mach 5, marking India’s hypersonic entry.
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DRDO-developed systems are fully indigenous, including large-scale launchers.
India’s Defence Tech Vision Shifts to Innovation and Sustainable R&D Ecosystem
Focus Moves Beyond Firepower to Long-Term Industrial and Technological Strength
Mishra’s comments come at a time when India is recalibrating its defence strategy from being heavily import-dependent to nurturing a homegrown industrial base fueled by research, innovation, and sustainability. Stressing on the need for long-gestation investments, Mishra noted that real returns in defence technology materialize only over a decade, rather than a few years.
“Defence R&D is not something you can invest in today and expect returns in 2–3 years. It takes 10 years or more,” he cautioned, urging stakeholders to have patience. The veteran scientist also criticized the fragmented nature of India’s defence manufacturing sector, which he said makes it difficult for buyers to navigate and support the multitude of small and scattered vendors.
“If there are 3,000 companies in every vertical, it becomes tough for buyers to support them. Why don’t you group them?” Mishra asked, making a strong pitch for consolidation in India’s defence production ecosystem.
Highlights:
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India is shifting focus toward long-term, innovation-led defence R&D.
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Real returns in defence tech development take a decade or longer.
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DRDO calls for better consolidation among India’s 3,000+ defence firms.
BrahMos and Akash Missile Systems Boost Armed Forces’ Confidence
DRDO Opts for Best Technical Offer (T1) Over Lowest Bidder (L1) to Ensure Performance
Discussing DRDO’s flagship achievements, Mishra described the BrahMos missile as a “very potent universal weapon,” emphasizing its accuracy, brute force, and near-impossible interception rate. He also underscored that over 130 tests of BrahMos have been conducted, each improving on earlier parameters.
Unlike traditional procurement models that rely on the lowest bidder (L1), DRDO selects the best technical offer (T1) to ensure that performance metrics are not compromised. This approach has not only enhanced operational readiness but also fortified the confidence of the Indian Armed Forces in homegrown defence technologies.
“Indian systems like Akash, BrahMos, and other indigenous electronic technologies, whether at the forefront or in supporting roles, have boosted the Armed Forces’ confidence immensely,” Mishra remarked. His emphasis on technical excellence over cost-cutting reiterates DRDO’s commitment to quality and long-term effectiveness in critical defence platforms.
Highlights:
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BrahMos has undergone over 130 successful trials with continual upgrades.
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DRDO favors technical excellence (T1) over lowest cost (L1) procurement.
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Indigenous systems like Akash and BrahMos boost Armed Forces’ trust.
Drone Sector Poised for Shakeout Amidst Rapid Growth and Policy Support
Only 20 of India’s 400 Drone Startups Likely to Survive, Warns Mishra
While India has witnessed a boom in drone startups—spurred by policy reforms and increased military interest—Mishra delivered a reality check by predicting that the sector may soon see significant consolidation. Of the 400 drone startups currently operating in India, he estimated that only about 20 are likely to survive in the long term.
“Today, there are 400 drone companies. I’m telling you, not more than 20 will survive,” Mishra warned, citing issues of scalability, duplication, and lack of differentiated offerings in the sector.
Lt Gen (Dr) Inderjit Singh, Strategic Advisor at ideaForge Technology, who was also on the panel, noted that India has been actively developing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) drone capabilities for over a decade. “We are the biggest company in ISR technologies. The Ministry of Defence is significantly scaling up efforts to acquire cutting-edge technologies,” Singh said.
Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India, highlighted that the introduction of the 2021 drone policy played a catalytic role in unlocking opportunities for private players. Though designed with civilian applications in mind, the policy opened avenues for creating indigenous intellectual property in the drone space.
Highlights:
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India has 400 drone startups, but only 20 are expected to remain viable.
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Policy reforms in 2021 spurred private investment and innovation in drones.
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ISR drone capabilities have matured, led by firms like ideaForge.
DRDO Confirms Readiness to Compete with Global Defence Technologies
Indigenous Systems Attract Global Attention Amid Rising Geopolitical Demand
In a bold assertion of India’s growing global competitiveness in defence exports, Mishra stated that when other nations choose Indian systems like BrahMos over their Western counterparts, it indicates that “ours is the best.” This sentiment is reflected in India’s recent defence export figures, which have surged in response to geopolitical realignments and increased demand for reliable yet affordable military solutions.
The upcoming hypersonic missile system will further augment India’s credibility as a major defence technology innovator. With DRDO’s record of consistent performance, including the successful development of supersonic cruise missiles and advanced electronic warfare systems, India is poised to emerge as a significant player in the global military-industrial complex.
Highlights:
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India’s indigenous defence systems are gaining global recognition.
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BrahMos and upcoming hypersonic missile reinforce India’s export strength.
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DRDO’s innovation pipeline enhances India’s credibility in global defence trade.