How Rafale M Will Boost Indian Navy's Anti-Ship Capabilities with NASM-MR and BrahMos-NG Missiles

The Indian Navy is poised for a significant upgrade in its anti-ship capabilities with the impending induction of Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets. Equipped with two cutting-edge anti-ship missile systems, the NASM-MR and BrahMos-NG, these aircraft will substantially enhance India's ability to neutralize hostile warships in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The NASM-MR (Medium Range Anti-Ship Missile), currently under development by DRDO, is an all-weather, over-the-horizon cruise missile. Designed for precision strikes, stealth, and extended reach, the NASM-MR will allow the Navy to engage enemy ships at distances up to 300 kilometers. This stand-off range places Rafale M pilots beyond the reach of most enemy ship defenses, increasing survivability and ensuring potent strike capabilities.

The missile's advanced guidance systems and reduced radar cross-section make it difficult to detect and intercept. The NASM-MR is intended for deployment on various Indian naval platforms, providing flexibility for both ship-borne and airborne launches.

Complementing the NASM-MR is the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile, a miniaturized version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile developed by BrahMos Aerospace. Reaching speeds of Mach 3.5, the BrahMos-NG offers India the capability to launch high-speed attacks on enemy vessels. This velocity makes it extremely challenging for adversaries to intercept the missile with conventional anti-missile systems.

Despite its power, the BrahMos-NG is designed to be smaller and lighter than its predecessor, allowing the Rafale M to carry it without compromising aerodynamics or payload. With a range of 290 km, the BrahMos-NG can strike targets deep within enemy territory, keeping the Rafale M safely out of range while delivering devastating blows.

Both the NASM-MR and BrahMos-NG offer long-range attack capabilities, enabling the Indian Navy to strike swiftly and decisively without jeopardizing its valuable assets. This advantage is crucial for maintaining control over vital sea lanes and maritime chokepoints. The extended reach of these missiles allows the Navy to target hostile vessels long before they pose a threat to Indian assets, creating critical buffer zones around the Indian coastline and maritime borders.

Furthermore, both missiles are equipped with advanced targeting systems to ensure precision strikes and minimize collateral damage. The stealth features of the NASM-MR and the high speed of the BrahMos-NG make them incredibly difficult for enemy radar and missile defence systems to track and intercept. This combination of capabilities poses a significant challenge even to the most sophisticated ship defenses.

The versatility of the NASM-MR and BrahMos-NG allows them to be adapted for various mission profiles, from coastal defence to open-ocean engagements. This adaptability provides the Indian Navy with the flexibility to deploy Rafale M fighters in a wide range of offensive and defensive roles, ensuring operational readiness across diverse scenarios.

 

[What the heck]

But Rafale-m talks stalled over the price disagreement, IN is getting a squadron of MWF Naval Tejas, why waste money on. a expensive foreign 4th gen jet when we have similar or even better local capability.

 

[R. Singh]

BrahMos-NG should have 500 km range !

 

[sanket]

NASM-MR & Brahmos-NG are Indigenous Missiles, Exocet is outdated short Range French Anti-ship Missile, second French Even Lacks Anti-Radiation Missile in its weapon package only thing they have is Meteor, scalp, Hammer like weapons Thats why Su-30 MKI has Advantage over Rafale From Brahmos-NG to Rudram Family & Once Astra MK3 is Induted it will dominate in all weapon package, & From First I was saying Make it mandatory on Rafale Fleet too Integrating of Indigenous weapons From Rudram Family Astra Family, Brahmos-NG being JV platform, what about Exocet Missile of French which is Anti-ship missile ...............??? Range of Excet Missile is only 70 kM & outdated Tech Missile, I always said Bharat should make mandatory of weapons & system sensors Integration on all platform whether it is Indigenous or Third party, Thats why Non- US platform is important in winning the MRFA, some Future may b developed with Russian JV, Like Hypersonic Air Launch Missile, second Super sukhoi upgrade too need to add AL-41 Engine to carry heavy Missiles, In Future if Safran wins Foreign partner for developing 110 kN Engine then same will b Integrated on MRFA, 26 Rafale M & 36 Rafale Airforce version tooo to carry more Heavy weapons

 

[tipoo2]

But Rafale-m talks stalled over the price disagreement, IN is getting a squadron of MWF Naval Tejas, why waste money on. a expensive foreign 4th gen jet when we have similar or even better local capability.

Since when is it confirmed the navy is getting a squadron of Naval Tejas. Nothing's been signed but the trainer.

 

[Akhil]

Limited benefit in India going for Rafale. French weapons package is mediocre at best. Rafales are super expensive. There is very limited modification we can do to weapons package or add our missiles.
But might be out best choice other than Russian jets

 

[sanket]

But Rafale-m talks stalled over the price disagreement, IN is getting a squadron of MWF Naval Tejas, why waste money on. a expensive foreign 4th gen jet when we have similar or even better local capability.

Talks are not stalled soon it deal is Likely to b signed for 26 Rafale M may b by year yead r early in next year, But Bharat should even go for Integration of Indigenous GaN based AESA Radar on all Rafale platform from current & Future purchased apart from weapon Integration, French wil take time to develop its own GaN based AESA Radar to Test Certify & Integrate on Rafale Fighter jets similar time Indigenous GaN based AESA can complete the all process, I think Rafale F5 version may have GaN based AESA Radar which likely to start production by 2030/31

 

[beencensured]

But Rafale-m talks stalled over the price disagreement, IN is getting a squadron of MWF Naval Tejas, why waste money on. a expensive foreign 4th gen jet when we have similar or even better local capability.

The system has no head or tail as procurement is all messed up. Short route to navy stop gap would be Tejas navy, then TEDBF, but they added catobar naval jet Rafale whose performance is significantly less on stobar aircraft carrier having no cost benefit over supposed Tejas naval which was originally to be engined with gef414, Now, they suppose adding Indian weapons at significant cost to rafale m to make it potent..the never ending saga of waste of money, like buying apache that cannot perform in Himalayas heights, but to satisfy the Tata group who make Apache helicopters fuselage. Come on we need competition not these crony system buying junk and then spending money to make potent.

 

[beencensured]

Since when is it confirmed the navy is getting a squadron of Naval Tejas. Nothing's been signed but the trainer.

Tejas has been proposed as for naval trainer and etc.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Recent air attack on Iran by Israel proves f35 is a formidable fighter. That's why more than 15 countries have purchased it. So we should with f35 that will bridge the gap of 5th gen fighters. China is marching ahead in j20 production and pak will get j31 by 2030.

 

[What the heck]

The system has no head or tail as procurement is all messed up. Short route to navy stop gap would be Tejas navy, then TEDBF, but they added catobar naval jet Rafale whose performance is significantly less on stobar aircraft carrier having no cost benefit over supposed Tejas naval which was originally to be engined with gef414, Now, they suppose adding Indian weapons at significant cost to rafale m to make it potent..the never ending saga of waste of money, like buying apache that cannot perform in Himalayas heights, but to satisfy the Tata group who make Apache helicopters fuselage. Come on we need competition not these crony system buying junk and then spending money to make potent.

Yes a squadron of Naval Tejas would be a good stop gap.

 

[What the heck]

Talks are not stalled soon it deal is Likely to b signed for 26 Rafale M may b by year yead r early in next year, But Bharat should even go for Integration of Indigenous GaN based AESA Radar on all Rafale platform from current & Future purchased apart from weapon Integration, French wil take time to develop its own GaN based AESA Radar to Test Certify & Integrate on Rafale Fighter jets similar time Indigenous GaN based AESA can complete the all process, I think Rafale F5 version may have GaN based AESA Radar which likely to start production by 2030/31

Integration of UTTAM radar will increase the price to $500Mln, so we don't have any other option other than going for either Euro fighter Typhoon or something else like it if we wanted twin engine MWF fighter jet, if not make more SU-30's in Super format and wait till whenever Tejas is available.

 

[Sandeep]

These jets will increase our naval offensive fire power and once we install our indigenous weapons it will make it even more lethal. Now we just need to wait for several years before we start receiving the jets which is the bad news. Hopefully they will sign a deal by the end of this year.

 

[Akhil]

Yes a squadron of Naval Tejas would be a good stop gap.

Yes all indicators point to that, President of Euro consortium partner Countries are visiting India one after another, Airbus is setting up a huge plant and are ready to deliver 24 jets/ year, it seems they are also willing to slash the price by 35% for a EF Typhoon tranche 5 LTE, it’s a great opportunity.

 

[Sidhart]

Yes all indicators point to that, President of Euro consortium partner Countries are visiting India one after another, Airbus is setting up a huge plant and are ready to deliver 24 jets/ year, it seems they are also willing to slash the price by 35% for a EF Typhoon tranche 5 LTE, it’s a great opportunity.

I wonder what they are going to do with the 36 Rafales, it is going to pose a logistical nightmare to maintain only 36 Rafale’s operationally and maintenance wise for the IAF, now that navy deal is also not going to happen, it is better to sell those 36 to some other Country

 

[PKPRS]

I wonder what they are going to do with the 36 Rafales, it is going to pose a logistical nightmare to maintain only 36 Rafale’s operationally and maintenance wise for the IAF, now that navy deal is also not going to happen, it is better to sell those 36 to some other Country

They shouldn't have bought only 36 in the first place, if purchasing 126 as originally planned didn’t work out, they should have stopped right there and shouldn’t have gone for 36 to pacify that arrogant company who didn’t want to work with us, if things would have gone according to the plan 8 years ago, we wouldn't be in this messy situation, We shouldn’t show any mercy to any company who doesn’t agree to our terms and willing to work with us, very bad planning.

 

[Anant]

Recent air attack on Iran by Israel proves f35 is a formidable fighter. That's why more than 15 countries have purchased it. So we should with f35 that will bridge the gap of 5th gen fighters. China is marching ahead in j20 production and pak will get j31 by 2030.

Sir, the global arms market isn't exactly a supermarket where one can go and get anything to their liking.

The US hasn't offered F-35s to India, and short of something truly massive changing, won't. Hence, any talk of a F-35 acquisition for now is a moot point.

 

[Spectre]

These jets will increase our naval offensive fire power and once we install our indigenous weapons it will make it even more lethal. Now we just need to wait for several years before we start receiving the jets which is the bad news. Hopefully they will sign a deal by the end of this year.

If the deal goes through, which is currently stuck on price, also what is the point of getting these jets in 2035.

 

[Akshat]

Limited benefit in India going for Rafale. French weapons package is mediocre at best. Rafales are super expensive. There is very limited modification we can do to weapons package or add our missiles.
But might be out best choice other than Russian jets

They have cleared the trials both the times so not sure how they are mediocre. In fact, as per open source photographs, they carried almost 3 times as much payload as F18.

Rafale were also L1 twice. And again, as per the latest deals and publicly available data, they are even cheaper than Su30 mki made by HAL. So definitely not super expensive. Rather cheap, if anything.

And Dassault is also allowing us to integrate our weapons easily, already signing MoU for 2 of them. Of course, they will charge for them.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

I've been having the suspicion that France will work overtime to not loose the lions share, ever since this new Govt cancelled the old agreement for 100+ Rafale jets worth more than 1 lakh crores.

It's slowly coming true, that it is solidifying it's grip in the fighter jets market, pushing Rafale.

As long as this is only a stop gap arrangement till Tejas comes of age, it'll be good. But if Tejas is shelved allover again .. then it'll be a disaster for Indian military complex.

 

[Sridhar]

But Rafale-m talks stalled over the price disagreement, IN is getting a squadron of MWF Naval Tejas, why waste money on. a expensive foreign 4th gen jet when we have similar or even better local capability.

Negotiations isn't stalled. It's ongoing.

 

[What the heck]

Negotiations isn't stalled. It's ongoing.

They don't. negotiate 24hrs 365 days, they stop if it doesn't work out, both parties haven't agreed to the price yet, which is the main sticking point.

 

[Sridhar]

Tejas has been proposed as for naval trainer and etc.

Proposal is different from acceptance.

 

[Sridhar]

Integration of UTTAM radar will increase the price to $500Mln, so we don't have any other option other than going for either Euro fighter Typhoon or something else like it if we wanted twin engine MWF fighter jet, if not make more SU-30's in Super format and wait till whenever Tejas is available.

How do you say so?

 

[What the heck]

How do you say so?

Only LM and Airbus have setup at-least partial eco system and solid supply chain in India besides Russia with DPSU's, so there are greater chances going with these OEM's for MRFA, between two LM only offers F16, and Airbus offers EF Typhoon.