GS3 · Defence

DRDO flight-tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile

Battle IAS current affairs title card: DRDO flight-tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (GS3 · Defence, 15 June 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Battle Brief

DRDO successfully flight-tested the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha on 15 June 2026. All test objectives were met on data from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, is the nodal laboratory; subsystems are indigenous with industry partners.

Fact File

Release
15 Jun 2026, Ministry of Defence / DRDO
Missile
Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
Date & site
15 Jun 2026; Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
Range instrumentation
Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
Nodal lab
Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru
Users present
Indian Navy and Indian Air Force representatives
In the news

LRLACM flight-test: what happened?

A land-attack cruise missile that clears its flight-test gates is another indigenous strike option for the services. This note confirms success; it does not publish range or warhead figures.

  • All subsystems developed by DRDO labs and Indian industry partners.
  • No range, speed or payload figures are stated in the release.
Back Story

What is stated about indigenisation?

  • The missile is described as indigenously developed, with ADE Bengaluru as nodal laboratory and industry partners for subsystems.
Why examiners care

Why does LRLACM flight-test matter?

  • Defence: Successful LRLACM flight-test.
  • Industry: DRDO–industry subsystem chain.
Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on LRLACM flight-test?

  • LRLACM flight-test 15 Jun 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
  • Nodal lab: ADE Bengaluru; ITR Chandipur tracking.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Security; indigenisation of technology

  1. As per PIB (2026-06-15): DRDO successfully flight-tested the LRLACM from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha on 15 June 2026; ADE Bengaluru is the nodal lab.
  2. It adds long-range precision strike capability.
Quotable data point

DRDO successfully flight-tested the LRLACM from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha on 15 June 2026.

PIB: Defence: LRLACM test, 15 Jun 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: cruise vs ballistic missiles.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The LRLACM flight-test of 15 June 2026 was conducted from

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (DRDO), 15 Jun 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What was tested on 15 June 2026?

The Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).

Where was it launched from?

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

Which lab is nodal?

Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru.

Keep studying

Official source: PIB: Defence: LRLACM test, 15 Jun 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending