The cynic in me thinks that everything being said and done right now is because of upcoming elections. I started thinking like this after I learned the whole demonetization fiasco was just to win the UP elections. Nonetheless it does feel better that India is doing something about upgrading its defence with the recent happenings in doklam and pulwama.
You are in all probability correct and you arent the only one. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47114401)
Like the other commenter pointed out, the DRDO has long claimed this capability. But this surprise announcement in a planned press conference (without telling what it was about) before elections.. why announce this now? Timing of it only makes sense in context of elections