STAR Supersonic Target Missile

Published on 06 Dec 2025

• India’s STAR (Supersonic TARget) missile has gained attention due to its capabilities.

• STAR is an indigenous, reusable high-speed missile developed by DRDO to provide realistic training for the armed forces by simulating supersonic anti-ship and cruise missile threats. 

• Available in both air and ground-launched variants, it is not designed to destroy targets but helps forces practice interception, i.e., detecting, tracking, and neutralizing incoming threats before they reach their targets.

• STAR features a two-stage propulsion system with a solid booster for lift-off and a Liquid Fuel Ramjet (LFRJ) for sustained supersonic flight, achieving speeds of Mach 1.8–2.5 and altitudes between 100 m and 10 km. 

• Its operational range is 55–175 km with flight times of 50–200 seconds. 

• STAR can be safely recovered or detonated after exercises, making it a crucial tool for improving India’s readiness against fast-moving aerial threats.

Keywords:

STAR Supersonic Target Missile Defence Missiles DRDO National security