The Shaurya (‘Bravery’) is a road-mobile, two-stage, solid-fuelled canister launched hypersonic SSM designed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The missile has a variable range from 700 to 1900 km due to its capability to mount a 180 to 1000 kg conventional HE or nuclear warhead and is thought to be the land-based improved version of the K-15 Sagarika Sea-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) with a range of 700-750 km. The nuclear payload could range from a yield of 17 to 200 Kilotons. The large range variation allows this SSM to fit below and within the ranges of the Agni series of SSMs and strike targets at operational and strategic depth. The SSM is stored in and launched from a fiberglass canister, thus facilitating ‘cold launch’ of the missile from a TEL, which significantly reduces its signature on deployment and launch. The missile is ejected from its canister by high-pressure gas from a gas generator located within the canister before the first stage motor takes over the propulsion, taking the missile to an altitude of 5 Km. The second stage motor then takes the missile to an altitude of 33 km. Post this, the aerodynamic fins influence further flight of the missile towards the intended target. Shaurya has a high degree of accuracy and can manoeuvre in a low trajectory within the earth’s atmosphere, thus making it difficult to detect by adversary’s radars oriented towards detection of ballistic missiles during re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. In-flight detection of the missile is further made difficult due to its slender cross-section (CS) of 0.74 m, as compared to the 1 to 2 m CS of the Agni and Prithvi series of SSMs. Detection and interception by ballistic missile defence (BMD) shields are further obfuscated due to the capability of the missile to fly at speeds upto Mach 7.5. The hypersonic SSM was tested from the ITR in October 2004, which was the first of a series of test flights. The SSM was test-fired in its improved final configuration 03 October 2020. Shaurya was approved for induction into the SFC post this test.