Indian-Made LRSAM Promises Comprehensive Defence Against Aerial Threats, Including Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles

India's pursuit of enhanced air defense capabilities has taken a significant leap forward with the development of a new Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) system, according to a recent Ministry of Defence (MoD) report.

The LRSAM, designed to neutralize a broad spectrum of airborne threats at extended ranges, is a much-needed boost to the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy and Air Force.

Indigenous Development, Advanced Capabilities​

The LRSAM system is the product of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), emphasizing the nation's growing self-reliance in defense technology.

The system boasts an array of impressive capabilities, including the potential to intercept high-flying aircraft, ballistic missiles, low-flying anti-ship missiles, and even the emerging threat of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs).

The successful completion of design reviews for critical subsystems and rocket motors marks a significant milestone in the LRSAM's development path.

Extended Range, Multi-Threat Countermeasure​

With a projected operational range of approximately 350 kilometers, the LRSAM promises to create a robust air defense shield around protected assets.

Its versatility in countering threats ranging from stealth fighters and conventional aircraft to various missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) significantly enhances the security posture of Indian forces.

Strategic Implications​

The LRSAM's potential to engage anti-ship ballistic missiles is of particular strategic importance. ASBMs are a growing concern for navies worldwide due to their speed, maneuverability, and destructive potential.

India's successful development of countermeasures against this threat underscores its commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced naval deterrent.

Defence Modernization​

The LRSAM represents a major step forward in India's ongoing military modernization efforts.

Its indigenous development aligns with the government's 'Make in India' initiative, fostering domestic defense production and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Conclusion​

The LRSAM system promises to bolster India's layered air defense network significantly.

As the system progresses towards deployment, it will provide Indian forces with a potent tool to safeguard national airspace and maritime assets against increasingly sophisticated threats.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Houthis have been the first entity to have used ASBM in battle. I watched a video of an american destroyer which was shooting them down the red sea.

China has largest arsenal of ASBM in the world. LRSAM is great system to develop.

 

[NSR]

The LRSAM is more or less like Indian XRSAM missile with 300+ kms range.
Can it fit in the missile cells of warships?

Nothing new in this article.

 

[Anant]

While I have been sincerely hoping that our Navy will send our larger surface combatants in for refits to receive 32-48 additional VLS cells for SAMs, if these are going to be LRSAMs, then their size would become a major point of consideration, since space is at a premium in a warship.

Oh, and why exactly are we still using those RBU-6000 ASRoc launchers? We could easily replace those with a bunch of VLS cells for ASW Rockets and VLSAMs.

 

[Sandeep]

All three services need to develop a long range SAM that's 100% indigenously designed and developed. Hopefully this can replace our foreign expensive SAM like the S400 and MR-SAM which will boost Indian worker and jobs along with protecting the country and we need to make sure that it covers the entire air space. We should also install these on our island bases to increase our defence on those islands as we can intercept any threats.

 

[YAZI 77]

Oh, and why exactly are we still using those RBU-6000 ASRoc launchers? We could easily replace those with a bunch of VLS cells for ASW Rockets and VLSAMs.

Why waste VLS space for ASW rockets ?

 

[Anant]

Why waste VLS space for ASW rockets ?

We would need some form of ASW missiles. The current RBU-6000 system is decent, but it is an unguided missile, and takes up too much space.

Moreover, practically all nations have moved on to dedicated ASW torpedoes (which we also have) or other form of ASW missiles rather than these unguided rockets.

Even Russia, who developed the system, doesn't use it anymore. In fact, there is no non-Indian ship today dating to after the Soviet era that carries the system. And yet we continue dedicating a lot of very precious deck space for it.

Take a look at the 8-cell Barak 8 VLS module, and then take a look at the platform where the 2 RBU-6000s are mounted on our destroyers. If you removed these and did some rearranging of equipment internally, you could easily fit 3 or maybe even 4 Barak 8 VLS modules. That is 24 to 32 extra SAMs in VLS cells.