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DRDO flight-tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile off Odisha

Monday, 15 June 2026· 5 min read·Source: Press Information Bureau

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight-test of the indigenously developed Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on June 15, 2026, with all mission objectives met. Dubbed by some as 'India's Tomahawk', the missile is about six metres long, weighs around 1.5 tonnes, is powered by an indigenous turbofan engine, and can engage targets at ranges exceeding 1,000 km while flying at subsonic speeds of about Mach 0.8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and its industry partners on the success.

Key Facts & Details

8 points

1
DRDO flight-tested the indigenous LRLACM on June 15, 2026.
2
The test was from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; all objectives met.
3
The missile has a range exceeding 1,000 km at about Mach 0.8 (subsonic).
4
It is ~6 m long, ~1.5 tonnes, with an indigenous turbofan engine.
5
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and industry partners.

Deep Dive

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A cruise missile flies at low altitude along a guided path, unlike a ballistic missile's arching trajectory.
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The LRLACM strengthens India's ability to strike high-value targets deep in adversary territory.
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The missile is developed by DRDO with Indian industry partners, supporting indigenisation.

Exam Focus

DRDO's LRLACM, tested in June 2026, is what type of missile and from where was it launched?

Exam Relevance & Angle

DRDO missile tests are flagship defence GA, tested on the missile's name (LRLACM), type (cruise), range and launch site (Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island).

Target Exams

SBI POSBI ClerkIBPS POIBPS ClerkIBPS RRB OfficerIBPS RRB AssistantRBI Grade BRBI AssistantNABARD Grade ASSC CGLSSC CHSLSSC CPORRB NTPCLIC AAONIACL AOUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), founded in 1958 under the Ministry of Defence, is India's lead military R&D agency. A cruise missile is a guided missile that flies at relatively low altitude along a programmed path (often hugging terrain) to strike land or sea targets, contrasted with ballistic missiles that follow a high arching trajectory. India's missile-test facility at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island), Odisha, hosts many trials. The LRLACM advances India's indigenous long-range strike capability, comparable in role to the US 'Tomahawk', and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence-manufacturing push.