Which Countries Have Hypersonic Missiles in 2025? Full List and Capabilities Explained

Countries with Hypersonic Missiles in 2025

Hypersonic missiles have moved from experimental stages to operational military assets, transforming global defense strategies. Traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and capable of complex maneuvers, these weapons are extremely difficult to intercept. While many nations are developing hypersonic technology, only a few have operational systems as of 2025.

Understanding Hypersonic Missiles: Types and Mechanics

Hypersonic weapons are generally divided into two main categories:

Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Rocket-launched, they re-enter the atmosphere and glide at hypersonic speeds, capable of sharp maneuvers that evade traditional missile defenses.
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by scramjet or air-breathing engines, these maintain high speeds near the surface, providing long-range precision and maneuverability.

Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, hypersonics challenge existing radar, interception, and targeting systems. This dual combination of speed and unpredictability is a key reason global powers are investing heavily in these systems. For technical reference, see NASA's hypersonic technology overview.

Historical Context: From Cold War Concepts to Modern Weapons

The roots of hypersonic weaponry trace back to the Cold War era, with concepts like the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) explored by the USSR. Although early systems never reached operational deployment, they laid the groundwork for today’s hypersonic programs.

During the 2000s, China, Russia, and the U.S. revived interest in hypersonics as advances in materials, guidance, and propulsion made these weapons feasible. By the 2010s, several countries were conducting tests of HGVs and scramjet-powered cruise missiles. The 2020s have seen the first operational deployments, marking a new phase in strategic military capabilities.

Russia: Leading Operational Hypersonics

Russia has transitioned multiple hypersonic programs from prototypes to operational weapons. Key systems include:

System	Type	Speed	Range	Warhead	Status
Avangard	HGV	Mach 20+	6,000+ km	Nuclear	Operational
Kinzhal	Air-launched HCM	Mach 10	2,000 km	Conventional/Nuclear	Operational, Combat-tested
Zircon	Ship-launched HCM	Mach 8–9	400–600 km	Conventional	Operational
Oreshnik	Next-gen HCM	Mach 10+	1,500 km	Multiple	Mass production

Russia’s approach emphasizes diverse platforms—air-launched, ship-launched, and silo-based—providing strategic flexibility. Combat-tested systems like Kinzhal demonstrate real-world integration of hypersonics into military doctrine.

China: Regional Power with Rapid Progress

China’s hypersonic program centers on strategic deterrence and regional dominance. Key systems:

System	Type	Speed	Range	Warhead	Status
DF-17	HGV (ballistic missile-launched)	Mach 5–10	1,800 km	Conventional/Nuclear	Operational
Starry Sky-2	Air-launched HGV	Mach 6	1,500 km	Conventional	Tested

China focuses on integrating hypersonics into missile brigades and naval assets. DF-17 deployment strengthens deterrence against regional adversaries and signals technological parity with Russia.

United States: Advanced Testing and Future Deployment

The U.S. has invested heavily in hypersonics but is still in testing or pre-deployment stages. Programs include:

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS): A ship- and submarine-launched hypersonic missile with global strike capability.
Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW): Road-mobile ground-launched HGV system.
X-51 Waverider: Scramjet-powered demonstrator, instrumental in advancing airframe and engine technology.

The U.S. approach prioritizes precise targeting, survivability, and integration into existing command structures, with testing across multiple platforms to ensure operational readiness.

India and Other Nations

India is developing the HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle) and plans future hypersonic missile systems. France, Japan, North Korea, and Australia are also in research or prototype stages.

Country	Program	Type	Status
India	HSTDV	Glide Vehicle / Cruise	Testing, not operational
France	V-MaX	Glide Vehicle	Research & Testing
Japan	Hypersonic Missile Program	Air-launched	Development
North Korea	Unknown	Likely HGV	Claims, unverified

Comparative Analysis: Russia, China, U.S., and India

Operational readiness and technological maturity differ among these nations:

Russia: Operational hypersonics, combat-tested, diverse deployment (air, sea, land).
China: Operational for strategic deterrence, regional focus, integration into missile brigades.
U.S.: Extensive R&D, precise targeting, multiple platforms, pre-deployment.
India: Prototype stage, focus on indigenous technology and strategic deterrence.

Technological Challenges and Strategic Implications

Hypersonic weapons face numerous engineering hurdles:

Materials must withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 1,500°C.
Guidance systems must maintain accuracy at speeds over Mach 5.
Integration with existing military command and control networks is critical.

Strategically, hypersonic missiles compress decision windows for defense systems, increasing escalation risks. This speed and unpredictability complicate existing arms control frameworks and necessitate new treaties or confidence-building measures.

Upcoming Hypersonic Developments (2025–2030)

Several countries are planning operational upgrades or new systems:

Russia: Next-generation air-launched hypersonics with multiple warhead capability.
China: Extended-range DF-17 variants and ship-launched HCMs.
United States: Integration of CPS and LRHW into global strike network.
India: Operational hypersonic missile expected post-2027 based on HSTDV research.
France/Japan: Test programs for long-range HGVs and cruise missiles.

Global Impact and Arms Race Concerns

The operational deployment of hypersonic missiles by Russia and China has triggered a new arms race. Nations without operational hypersonics are accelerating research programs to prevent strategic disadvantage. Military analysts suggest:

Rapid proliferation could destabilize regional balances.
Escalation risks during crises increase due to shortened decision timelines.
International treaties may need modernization to account for maneuverable, ultra-fast weapons.

Historical Evolution of Hypersonic Technology

The concept of hypersonic flight dates back to the 1940s and 1950s during the early Cold War. Both the United States and the Soviet Union experimented with high-speed aircraft and missile systems. Early prototypes, like the American X-15 and Soviet experimental missiles, were primarily research tools to understand atmospheric reentry and material limitations at extreme speeds.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Soviet Union invested heavily in Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS), capable of striking targets via orbital trajectories. While never deployed, these programs influenced Russia's current hypersonic initiatives, particularly in developing HGVs like Avangard.

The 1990s marked a technological slowdown due to budget constraints, but research continued in classified programs across the U.S., Russia, and China. The advent of advanced materials, scramjet engines, and miniaturized guidance systems in the 2000s reignited interest, leading to today’s operational hypersonic weapons.

Global Players: Aerospace Companies Driving Hypersonic Innovation

Beyond governments, private and state-owned aerospace companies play a crucial role in hypersonic research. Their expertise in propulsion, materials, and guidance systems is critical for operational deployment.

Boeing

Boeing has been at the forefront of U.S. hypersonic R&D, developing the X-51 Waverider, an air-breathing scramjet-powered test vehicle. Boeing’s work focuses on integrating hypersonic engines, lightweight composites, and precision guidance systems to support U.S. Conventional Prompt Strike and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon programs.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is heavily involved in both the U.S. military and allied hypersonic programs. The company develops the SR-72 concept for future hypersonic strike aircraft and contributes to HGV development. Lockheed Martin’s expertise lies in advanced aerodynamics, thermal protection systems, and warhead integration.

Safran (France)

Safran, a key French aerospace and defense manufacturer, focuses on scramjet engines and high-speed guidance systems. Its work on the V-MaX hypersonic project supports France’s long-range strike ambitions. Safran’s propulsion systems are designed to handle extreme thermal loads while maintaining fuel efficiency and reliability.

Other Notable Contributors

Northrop Grumman: Focuses on hypersonic propulsion and flight testing platforms for the U.S. Air Force.
Roscosmos / NPO Mashinostroyeniya (Russia): Key developers of Avangard and Zircon systems, providing HGV design and missile integration.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC): Leads DF-17 and other Chinese hypersonic missile projects, combining research, production, and deployment.

Upcoming Hypersonic Systems Around the World

Several countries are racing to field operational hypersonic missiles within the next decade. Key programs include:

Country	System	Type	Expected Deployment	Notes
Russia	Oreshnik Next-gen	HCM	2025–2026	Multiple warheads, Mach 10+
U.S.	CPS & LRHW	HGV / Cruise	2026–2027	Global strike, integrated into Navy and Army systems
China	DF-17 Extended Range	HGV	2025–2026	Enhanced maneuverability and payload
India	HSTDV-based Missile	Glide Vehicle / Cruise	Post-2027	Indigenous, focused on regional deterrence
France	V-MaX	HGV	2028–2030	Advanced scramjet engine, strategic use
Japan	Air-launched HCM	Cruise	Late 2020s	Regional defense, naval integration

Comparison with Traditional Missile Systems

Hypersonic missiles offer several advantages over conventional ballistic and cruise missiles:

Much higher speeds reduce reaction time for defenders.
Enhanced maneuverability enables evasion of missile defense systems.
Lower flight altitude for cruise missiles reduces radar detection.
Flexible launch platforms (air, sea, land) provide strategic versatility.

However, they also face unique challenges:

Extremely high thermal stress requires advanced materials.
Precision targeting at hypersonic speeds remains complex.
Integration with existing command and control systems is still evolving.

Geopolitical Implications

The operational deployment of hypersonic missiles by Russia and China has intensified global strategic competition. These systems alter deterrence dynamics, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe. Key implications include:

Shortened response time for missile defense systems, increasing the risk of rapid escalation.
Pressure on non-hypersonic nations to accelerate research programs.
Potential for new arms control negotiations focusing specifically on maneuverable high-speed weapons.

Integration with Modern Warfare Strategies

Hypersonic missiles are increasingly being integrated into modern military doctrines:

Strategic Deterrence: Long-range HGVs carry nuclear warheads, providing credible second-strike capability.
Precision Strike: Air-launched HCMs allow rapid engagement of high-value targets.
Naval Warfare: Ship-launched hypersonics, like Russia’s Zircon, enhance anti-ship capabilities and naval power projection.
Joint Operations: Integration with UAVs, satellites, and real-time targeting improves strike coordination and battlefield awareness.

Challenges in Countering Hypersonic Threats

Current missile defense systems face difficulty intercepting hypersonics due to speed, maneuverability, and low-altitude flight profiles. Research into specialized hypersonic interceptors, directed energy weapons, and advanced radar tracking is ongoing:

Ground-based interceptors: Limited effectiveness against maneuverable HGVs.
Directed-energy weapons: Early-stage testing for thermal damage and tracking at hypersonic speeds.
Space-based sensors: Improved detection and tracking of gliding vehicles during flight.

Emerging Technologies Supporting Hypersonic Development

Hypersonic missile programs rely on multiple advanced technologies:

Scramjet engines: Provide sustained supersonic combustion at Mach 5+.
Thermal-resistant composites: Protect airframes from extreme heat.
Advanced guidance systems: AI-assisted trajectory adjustments enhance accuracy.
Miniaturized warheads: Enable multi-warhead deployment on smaller platforms.

Future Outlook

By the late 2020s, operational hypersonic systems are expected to expand beyond Russia and China. The U.S., India, France, Japan, and allied nations are pursuing fielded systems. The evolution of these weapons is likely to reshape military strategies, emphasizing speed, precision, and global strike capabilities. Nations are investing in new research, including:

Next-generation HGVs capable of Mach 20+ speeds.
Sea-launched and submarine-launched hypersonics for naval dominance.
Integration with artificial intelligence for autonomous targeting.
Stealth hypersonic platforms to evade radar and missile defenses.

Shaping the Future of Warfare

Hypersonic missiles are no longer just experimental weapons—they are rapidly becoming central to national defense strategies and global military planning. With Russia and China already deploying operational systems and other nations racing to field their own, the landscape of modern warfare is being transformed by extreme speed, precision, and maneuverability. These weapons force militaries to rethink detection, interception, and response strategies, while pushing innovation in propulsion, materials, and guidance technologies.

As research continues and more countries integrate hypersonic systems into their arsenals, the next decade will likely see a shift in the balance of strategic power. Nations that successfully harness this technology, while also developing countermeasures, will hold significant influence in both regional and global security dynamics. The evolution of hypersonic weapons illustrates how rapid technological progress can redefine military capabilities, making speed, adaptability, and advanced engineering the cornerstone of next-generation defense.