On October 24, 2025, US startup Castelion announced contracts to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic missile onto US Army and Navy platforms, including the HIMARS and future Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher, supported by a $25 million budget allocation for fiscal 2026. This initiative aims to develop affordable long-range hypersonic capabilities amid rising competition with China and Russia, reflecting the Pentagon’s strategy to enhance rapid-response strike options. The emergence of cost-effective US hypersonic technologies could significantly alter the strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific, necessitating a reevaluation of defense planning in India as it responds to shifting regional balances and technological advancements in missile systems. This development underscores the urgency for India to bolster its own hypersonic capabilities to maintain regional deterrence and security.