India has successfully tested its first hypersonic missile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Sunday, marking a milestone for the nuclear-armed country as it seeks to bolster its military capabilities.

The test follows neighboring China's recent display of aviation technology, including its J-35A stealth fighter jet and HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system.

"India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile," Singh said, describing it as a "historic moment" that places India among a select group of countries with this cutting-edge technology.

Hypersonic missiles represent a new generation of weapons, as they fly at lower altitudes, evade radar detection more effectively than ballistic missiles, reach targets at extreme speeds, and can be redirected mid-flight.

Only a few countries — including the United States, Russia, China, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea — have successfully tested hypersonic weapons, with other nations racing to develop similar capabilities.

The missile test took place on Saturday off India's east coast at Abdul Kalam Island. Video footage from India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showed a sleek missile launching into the night sky, leaving a trail of flames behind.

However, India's defense ministry has not disclosed additional specifics about the missile's range, speed, or operational capabilities.

India has strengthened military ties with Western allies, notably through the Quad alliance alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia. Additionally, the nation remains a significant purchaser of Russian military equipment, including the S-400 missile defense system, despite the risk of US sanctions tied to the deal.

Hypersonic world stage

Hypersonic weapons travel at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound - well over 3,000 miles per hour - and, unlike ballistic missiles, are maneuverable, making them nearly hard to intercept in flight. They also create extremely high temperatures, necessitating the use of sophisticated ceramics and other difficult-to-design and build exotic materials.