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In a significant boost to its maritime firepower, the Indian Navy has successfully upgraded its fleet of Veer-class fast attack missile vessels with the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile system.
This strategic modernization involves retrofitting the veteran corvettes with new twin BrahMos launchers on either side, drastically enhancing the combat reach of platforms that have been in service since 1987.
A Generational Leap in Firepower
The Veer-class corvettes, with a compact displacement of approximately 455 tonnes, were originally commissioned with the Soviet-era P-15 Termit (NATO reporting name: SS-N-2 Styx) anti-ship missiles.While the liquid-fuelled Termit missiles were reliable during their prime, their subsonic speed and limited range had become obsolete in the face of modern naval defence systems.
By replacing the ageing Termit system with the BrahMos, the Indian Navy has vaulted these vessels into a new category of lethality. The BrahMos is widely regarded as one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, capable of speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0.
This transition from a subsonic, short-range weapon to a supersonic, long-range precision strike capability fundamentally changes the threat profile of these corvettes.
Engineering Feat: Twin Launcher Integration
Integrating such a heavy and potent missile system onto a vessel as small as the Veer-class represents a formidable engineering challenge.Each corvette has been outfitted with two twin-tube launchers—one mounted on the port side and one on the starboard side—providing a total salvo capability of four BrahMos missiles.
This configuration maintains the vessel’s original volume of fire while extending its operational envelope significantly.
The BrahMos system offers a strike range exceeding 450 km (depending on the variant), along with advanced sea-skimming capabilities and high-G terminal manoeuvres that make interception by enemy air defence systems extremely difficult.
From Coastal Defence to Long-Range Strike
The upgrade redefines the tactical role of the Veer-class. Originally designed as coastal defence batteries meant to protect harbour approaches and littoral waters, these ships are now true long-range maritime strike assets.Despite their small size, they can now engage and neutralise major surface combatants, such as frigates and destroyers, as well as high-value land targets from stand-off distances.
This modernization aligns with the Indian Navy’s broader strategy of maximizing the combat utility of legacy platforms while awaiting the induction of next-generation vessels.
By equipping these veteran hulls with indigenous, cutting-edge weaponry, the Navy ensures they remain a credible and potent deterrent in the Indian Ocean Region.
