India’s Indigenous 1000 km LRLACM Missile Impresses Global Defence Experts at DEFEA 2025

India’s steady rise in the world of advanced defence technology was on full display at the DEFEA 2025 international defence exhibition in Athens, Greece. The spotlight fell on the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) indigenous Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), a weapon system that has caught the attention of global military observers and strategic planners alike.

This subsonic cruise missile, capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometres away, stands as a shining example of India’s growing strength in homegrown missile systems and its unwavering commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

A New Chapter After Nirbhay

The LRLACM is widely understood to be an advanced evolution of India’s earlier Nirbhay missile family, which was developed to provide the country with long-range precision strike capability. On November 12, 2024, the LRLACM completed its successful maiden flight test from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha — a significant milestone confirming the missile’s operational viability.

This ambitious project was spearheaded by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, with critical contributions from other DRDO laboratories and Indian defence production firms like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Design and Capabilities

The LRLACM is engineered to conduct high-precision attacks on strategic land-based targets deep within enemy territory. Its most notable features include:

• Stealthy Subsonic Flight: The missile cruises at subsonic speeds while hugging the terrain at low altitudes, significantly reducing its chances of being detected and intercepted by enemy air defences.

• Terrain-Hugging Navigation: The missile uses waypoint navigation and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) to manoeuvre along complex routes, bypassing radar coverage and air defence systems.

• Universal Launch Options: Designed with flexibility in mind, the LRLACM can be launched from mobile land-based platforms and frontline naval vessels equipped with universal vertical launch systems, enhancing its operational reach.

• State-of-the-Art Avionics: Fitted with advanced navigation and control systems, the missile can execute intricate manoeuvres at varying altitudes and speeds, ensuring high accuracy and mission success.

• Large Conventional Warhead: Capable of carrying a high-explosive warhead suitable for strategic and tactical targets, including enemy infrastructure, command centres, and logistics hubs.

Global Defence Community’s Interest

At DEFEA 2025, the LRLACM drew considerable interest from defence delegations and observers from Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Experts noted the missile’s similarity in role and capability to established systems like the US Tomahawk and Russia’s Kalibr cruise missile, placing India firmly in the league of nations capable of producing long-range, precision strike cruise missiles.

Notably, reports have hinted at preliminary discussions between India and Greece, with the latter reportedly impressed by the missile’s range, versatility, and stealth features. Such interest marks a promising development for India’s defence export ambitions.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile

• Range: 1,000 km

• Speed: Subsonic (~0.7 to 0.9 Mach)

• Warhead: High-explosive (Conventional)

• Guidance System: Inertial Navigation System (INS), GPS, and TERCOM

• Flight Profile: Terrain-hugging, low-altitude, waypoint navigation

• Launch Platforms: Mobile ground-based launchers, naval vertical launch systems

• Developer: Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), DRDO

• Operational Status: Under development, successful maiden test in November 2024

Conclusion

India’s LRLACM represents more than just a new weapon system; it’s a declaration of the country’s advancing indigenous defence technology. Its unveiling at DEFEA 2025 has not only elevated India’s profile in global defence circles but also positioned the nation as a credible developer of advanced cruise missile systems. As international interest grows, the LRLACM could potentially open new avenues for defence partnerships and export opportunities in the near future.