New Delhi: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to showcase some of India’s most advanced and indigenously developed defence technologies during the 77th Republic Day celebrations in 2026. These cutting-edge systems will be displayed during the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path and at Bharat Parv at the Red Fort, underlining India’s growing strength in self-reliant defence capabilities.
Among the key highlights are the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) and the DRDO tableau themed ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’, which will demonstrate India’s technological prowess in strategic missile systems and underwater warfare.
LR-AShM to Take Centre Stage at Kartavya Path
During the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, DRDO will showcase the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) along with its launcher. This advanced weapon system has been designed to meet the coastal battery requirements of the Indian Navy, significantly enhancing India’s maritime strike capability.
The LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging both static and moving targets and can carry various types of payloads. It is a first-of-its-kind missile system featuring indigenous avionics and high-accuracy sensor packages, marking a major milestone in India’s missile development programme.
Advanced Hypersonic Capabilities and Stealth Features
The missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, reaching hypersonic speeds of Mach 10 and maintaining an average speed of Mach 5.0 with multiple atmospheric skips. Indigenously developed sensors enable precise engagement of moving targets during the terminal phase.
Flying at low altitude with extremely high speed and manoeuvrability, the LR-AShM remains largely undetectable by enemy ground-based and ship-based radars for most of its flight, giving it a decisive edge in modern naval warfare.
Two-Stage Solid Propulsion System
The LR-AShM is equipped with a two-stage solid propulsion rocket motor system. These propulsion stages accelerate the missile to the required hypersonic velocities. After the completion of Stage-I, it is separated from the vehicle. Following Stage-II burnout, the missile performs an unpowered hypersonic glide, executing complex manoeuvres in the atmosphere before accurately engaging its target.
DRDO Tableau to Be Displayed at Bharat Parv
In addition to the parade, DRDO’s tableau will be showcased at Bharat Parv at the Red Fort from January 26 to January 31, 2026. The theme for this year’s tableau is ‘Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines’, highlighting critical indigenously developed systems that act as force multipliers for conventional submarines of the Indian Navy.
The tableau will display three key technologies:
- Integrated Combat Suite (ICS)
- Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT)
- Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)
These systems are designed to ensure combat supremacy in the underwater domain.
Integrated Combat Suite: Backbone of Underwater Warfare
The Integrated Combat Suite (ICS) is a next-generation submarine-based defence system essential for underwater warfare and anti-submarine operations. It is a system of systems that provides unparalleled situational awareness by generating a comprehensive threat picture.
The ICS enables commanders to make informed tactical decisions, including weapon selection, launch, and guidance. It is the result of a collaborative effort involving eight DRDO laboratories, with active participation from around 150 major industry partners and MSMEs across India, reflecting strong industry-academia-defence collaboration.
Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo for Lethal Undersea Combat
The Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT) is a state-of-the-art submarine-launched weapon designed to counter modern ship and submarine threats in oceanic waters. It is considered a lethal weapon in anti-submarine warfare and serves as the primary weapon for submarines.
As the Indian Navy continues to expand its submarine fleet to maintain dominance in blue water naval warfare and secure strategic advantage across vast oceanic regions, the need for an indigenously developed, high-speed, long-endurance heavyweight torpedo has become critical. The WGHWT fulfils this requirement.
Air Independent Propulsion Enhancing Submarine Stealth
The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system significantly enhances the underwater endurance and stealth of submarines. It is powered by a locally developed phosphoric acid fuel cell integrated with a novel onboard hydrogen generator.
The AIP system generates power by combining hydrogen and oxygen in phosphoric acid fuel cells. After conditioning, the generated power is fed into the submarine’s power line, enabling the submarine to propel underwater silently without producing noise. The modular design of this technology allows it to be configured for future submarine platforms as well.
Other DRDO Systems to Feature in Republic Day Parade
Several other DRDO-developed defence systems will also be displayed as part of the Armed Forces contingents at Kartavya Path. These include:
- 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
Strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence
DRDO continues to serve as the design and development backbone for India’s Armed Forces, reinforcing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. By partnering with stakeholders across the defence ecosystem—including academia, industry, MSMEs, and the armed services—DRDO is developing state-of-the-art indigenous defence systems.
The successful development and deployment of these technologies represent a major achievement in defence self-reliance and a significant step towards strengthening India’s national security and technological sovereignty.
