DRDO Set to Test 1,000km Range Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Capable of Sinking Aircraft Carriers and Moving Warships

At a time when defence forces are looking at creating a rocket force, India is all set to soon test fire a new long-range anti-ship ballistic missile which would be able to hit moving warships or aircraft carriers at distances of over 1,000 kms.

The ballistic missile is expected to be tested in the next few days by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), defence sources told ANI.

The anti-ship ballistic missile would be capable of being launched from both warships and shore-based locations, the sources said.

The missile system is being developed for the Indian Navy and would give it the capability to take out enemy vessels from a long-range, the sources said.

Indian forces have been increasing the number of ballistic missiles in their inventory with Pralay ballistic missiles being ordered by both Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The numbers are going to be gradually increased with the induction of short and medium-range missiles in the three services which would give them the capability to sustain long-term conflicts.

In recent times, there has been a large-scale use of ballistic missiles in conflicts where even non-state actors have been seen firing hundreds of ballistic missiles on enemy locations in just one night.

The Indian forces have been in conflict with China in northern borders which has a huge rocket force and which has a huge inventory of such long-range weapons in conventional or non-nuclear roles.

Indian forces have held detailed discussions on the need for the creation of such an organisation with a large size inventory to meet all security challenges.

 

[Hypersonic Enthusiast]

Will this missile comprise an HGV payload? Or is it similar to Shourya Missile?

 

[Anant]

Will this missile comprise an HGV payload? Or is it similar to Shourya Missile?

Most likely not, given our HGV is still in development.

 

[Anant]

Considering that the missile is expected to have a length of around 14 metres and a diameter or 1.4 metres, it is highly unlikely we'll put these on frontline warships due the massive size. For reference, the BrahMos is 8.4 metres long (6 m for the BrahMos-NG), with a diameter of 0.6 m (0.5 for the BrahMos-NG), while the Nirbhay / ITCM has a length of 6 m and a diameter of 0.52 m.

Coastal batteries, and maybe an older OPV or two seems to be the only way of fielding such a weapon.

 

[Hypersonic Enthusiast]

Most likely not, given our HGV is still in development.

What about MaRV warhead?

 

[Tailless Baboon]

What about MaRV warhead?

Best idea against a large group of enemy vessels will be to deploy a missile that releases many small bomblets.

 

[Anant]

What about MaRV warhead?

Again, unlikely given the size of the missile. However, let's see.

 

[Sridhar]

Considering that the missile is expected to have a length of around 14 metres and a diameter or 1.4 metres, it is highly unlikely we'll put these on frontline warships due the massive size. For reference, the BrahMos is 8.4 metres long (6 m for the BrahMos-NG), with a diameter of 0.6 m (0.5 for the BrahMos-NG), while the Nirbhay / ITCM has a length of 6 m and a diameter of 0.52 m.

Coastal batteries, and maybe an older OPV or two seems to be the only way of fielding such a weapon.

Remodifications required for the older warships to accomodate new missile of these types.

 

[Anant]

Remodifications required for the older warships to accomodate new missile of these types.

Still won't work, boss. The amount of deck space needed for a missile of that size is massive, and short of using the helicopter deck for such a thing, we don't exactly have a lot of space on older warships.

 

[Kira]

Still won't work, boss. The amount of deck space needed for a missile of that size is massive, and short of using the helicopter deck for such a thing, we don't exactly have a lot of space on older warships.

This will be deployed on a road launch vehicle like what PRC does with its anti ship ballistic missile DF-21/26.Although,the Indian missile likely to be called the Agni-1P(P for Prime) is shorter ranged.

 

[Rational Guy]

Coastal batteries, and maybe an older OPV or two seems to be the only way of fielding such a weapon.

No need just deploy in Andaman entire Malacca strait blocked.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical missile that we need to develop and quickly. We need to permanently deploy this on our islands and areas that cover key bases, ports, infrastructure and key coastal cities.

Also installing this on our ships is very important as it gives our ships the offensive fire power and advantage over our enemy’s ships. We should also develop a land attack variant as well so we can hit long distance targets.

 

[Anant]

No need just deploy in Andaman entire Malacca strait blocked.

I assume you are referring to basing the missile on coastal units in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands? If so, you are absolutely correct.

However, what will be interesting to see is the accuracy of such an AShBM. Other AShBMs are known to be fairly inaccurate due to physical constraints on the terminal stage of flight.

 

[The Presence]

The Anti-ship variant of AD-1.

Looks like DRDO has been taking notes from SM-6.

 

[IB]

Remodifications required for the older warships to accomodate new missile of these types.

Older warships are already too old most will be 45 to 55 year old in early 2030s

 

[Anant]

Older warships are already too old most will be 45 to 55 year old in early 2030s

Which ships are you referring to, here? Ships like the Khukri-class that date back to the 1980s won't be around into the 2030s.