Indian Navy Plans to Deploy 1,500-km Range Hypersonic Missiles, Initially on Surface Warships, Later on Nuclear Attack Subs

In a move that significantly bolsters India's naval capabilities, Navy Chief Admiral D.K. Tripathi has confirmed the planned induction of a 1,500-km Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM). This advanced weapon system is set to enhance the Indian Navy's offensive and defensive capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.

The integration of the LRAShM will begin with the Indian Navy's surface fleet. Warships, with their larger platforms and advanced Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), are better suited for accommodating and deploying these hypersonic missiles. This initial deployment will allow the Navy to quickly integrate this powerful new capability into its operational strategy.

Deploying the LRAShM on submarines presents a different set of challenges. Currently, none of the Indian Navy's submarines are equipped with the necessary Vertical Launch Systems. This limitation will be addressed with the induction of new nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), which are being developed under a program recently approved for induction by 2036. These submarines will feature VLS systems capable of launching hypersonic missiles, adding a significant underwater dimension to India's hypersonic strike capabilities.

The LRAShM is designed as a non-nuclear weapon system intended for high-impact conventional strikes. It will complement other advanced weapon systems planned for India's nuclear attack submarines, including Long-Range Subsonic Cruise Missiles for land attack and anti-ship roles. This combination will provide the Navy with a versatile and powerful arsenal to address a wide range of threats.

The planned induction of the 1,500-km LRAShM underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to modernizing its arsenal and enhancing its combat readiness. By 2036, when the new nuclear attack submarines are operational, the Navy will possess a formidable combination of surface and subsurface platforms equipped with state-of-the-art hypersonic weapons, significantly enhancing its deterrence capabilities and strategic reach in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

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[desigandu]

Good, but in my opinion we need 6 SSNs faster than the 2 planned starting 2035…Also P76 SSKs must have VLS launchers and be able to fire HCMs and HGVs, though size maybe an issue unless these SSKs are around 4000 tons!

 

[Sunny]

Atleast our Navy will become a potant force whose capability will be difficult to match by our adversary in the IOR and beyond. We should also deploy land based hypersonic missiles in A&N islands.

 

[Neal.B]

Combination of Lrashm and SMART will give the right punch to our SSNs in advanced warfare against strong adversaries.

 

[Sandeep]

The military need to focus more on developing hypersonic missiles on land and at sea. 1500km is a good start but that range needs to increase and we need to develop different variants. We could also use these as small tactical nuclear weapons that can be used against major strike corps or cities.

 

[Rajesh]

Our military are masters in planning. If they go for submarines with VLS in P75i, then they could use these types of missiles. Anyway, they are wasting a considerable amount of time planning and deciding on P75i, and had they gone with the development of Type 216 with Germany, which the Germans had proposed for Australia, a bigger sub with VLS, we could have gained experience from the design stage itself and a brand new type of sub.

 

[Rational Guy]

Good, but in my opinion we need 6 SSNs faster than the 2 planned starting 2035…Also P76 SSKs must have VLS launchers and be able to fire HCMs and HGVs, though size maybe an issue unless these SSKs are around 4000 tons!

SSNs are expensive. We need to bolster our surface and SSK fleet first and also space based capabilities not to mention airpower capability etc. simply not enough money for 6 SSNs by 2035.