India's Next-Gen Missile Vessels (NGMV) Design Reduces BrahMos Missile Count From 8 to 4, Signaling Shift in Operational Priorities

The Indian Navy's upcoming Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) has undergone design revisions, notably reducing the number of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles it can carry. This change signals a potential shift in the operational priorities for this new class of warships.

Earlier renderings of the NGMV showcased it equipped with Quad-Dual BrahMos Launchers positioned behind the ship's main mast. This configuration, designed for space-constrained vessels, allowed the NGMV to carry eight BrahMos missiles, providing substantial firepower.

However, updated renderings reveal a revised design featuring twin canister BrahMos launchers in an inclined configuration, relocated to the front of the main mast. This shift likely aims to optimize the vessel's internal layout and operational efficiency. However, this change reduces the NGMV's BrahMos missile capacity from eight to four.

This reduction in firepower raises questions about the NGMV's intended role within the Indian Navy's fleet. While the initial design emphasized offensive capabilities, the revised design may prioritize other factors such as:

• Enhanced Sensors and Systems: The freed-up space and weight capacity could accommodate advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, or improved command and control capabilities, enhancing the NGMV's situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
• Improved Survivability: The design changes might focus on improving the ship's stealth features, reducing its radar cross-section, and enhancing its defenses against enemy attacks.
• Multi-Mission Versatility: The NGMV could be designed for a wider range of missions beyond anti-surface warfare, such as anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, or supporting special operations.

While the reduction in BrahMos missiles might seem like a decrease in offensive power, it is crucial to consider the evolving nature of naval warfare. Modern warships rely on a combination of firepower, survivability, and versatility to achieve mission success. The revised NGMV design could reflect the Indian Navy's adaptation to these changing dynamics, prioritizing a more balanced and adaptable platform.

Ultimately, the NGMV's effectiveness will depend on its overall capabilities and how it integrates into the Indian Navy's broader maritime strategy. This shift in design emphasizes that the Navy is likely prioritizing a more versatile and adaptable platform, equipped to handle a wider range of missions in the complex and evolving maritime environment.

 

[Neal.B]

Only 4 Brahmos missiles will significantly reduce the operational capability of NGMV. Hope this doesn't happen with NGDs.

 

[Anant]

Oh boy... 4 missiles is pretty underarmed, once again. Seriously, at this point, one hopes very sincerely they retain the planned 32 VLS cells for the VL-SRSAM and not try to cheapen that down to 16 or 8, or worse still, replace them entirely with one or two AK-630s.

With that in mind, however, and given the new configuration, the role of these ships is now painfully obvious. They are, to put it simply, modernized replacements for the Veer- and Khukri-class corvettes. The same number of missiles, very similar configuration, etc. Heck, in the new render, they even look broadly alike.

However, if these are intended as replacements for those ships, and assuming someone doesn't get the bright idea of trying to cheapen the NGC design to a similar concept, we would be looking at replacing 17 older ships (11 Tarantuls plus 2 modified Tarantuls plus 4 Khukris) with 6 ships, which is ridiculous, to say the least.

We need mid-sized surface combatants, and with the Talwar-class line restricted to 10 ships (7 in the long run) and no more mid-sized frigates planned for now, we need those NGCs in the planned 3,500-ton size and configuration.

 

[Anant]

Only 4 Brahmos missiles will significantly reduce the operational capability of NGMV. Hope this doesn't happen with NGDs.

Fingers crossed, boss. That said, the NGMVs are very painfully now obvious as a partial replacement for our Tarantul- and Khukri-class corvette fleets, with more self-defence capability on the NGMVs, but with the dubious caveat of replacing 15-17 ships with 6.

 

[The Presence]

@Anant
Typical Indian Navy.

Always prioritising endurance over mission effectiveness. Naively acting as if warships can't be refueled mid-sea.

I bet they will even let go of the SAMs to get Destroyer-grade endurance in a Missile Vessel.

 

[Anant]

@Anant
Typical Indian Navy.

Always prioritising endurance over mission effectiveness. Naively acting as if warships can't be refueled mid-sea.

I bet they will even let go of the SAMs to get Destroyer-grade endurance in a Missile Vessel.

Please don't say that, Sir. While it is true that the Navy probably attaches more importance to endurance than is absolutely necessary, I have a feeling that this downgrade is more of a cost and balance factor than endurance.

 

[parimal vaikuthray Pandya]

How anyone expects to get some quality output of the product with getting substandard output of the society motived to get anything anyhow corruptly increasing since a very very long time?

 

[The Presence]

Please don't say that, Sir. While it is true that the Navy probably attaches more importance to endurance than is absolutely necessary, I have a feeling that this downgrade is more of a cost and balance factor than endurance.

Now even Missile Vessels are costing a lot 😂

Let me ask a simple question. What's the point of going cheap like this, when the entire ship will sink as a result?

 

[Paul]

Stealth is compromised after moving the missiles to front and also its under-armed now. Well done!!!! No comments!!!

 

[Rajesh]

Hope the render is just a render and nothing to do with the actual design and if they really r indeed the actual design then it feels sad to see it. If they replace those twin launchers with 2 ak47 then they could optimise the design even better and also the cost will also be less.

 

[Rahul Sharma]

Everyone is getting carried away in emotions. Actually Navy is trying to make cheap small fast small Ships with effective fire power. For example This ship though Small posses threat to any Modern Huge destroyer. So it's basically Distribution of assets. If U make a huge ship If it gets destroyed there will be huge loss. If u make Multiple small ships it gets destroyed it will have less loss. It's like drone concept. Cheap but effective.

 

[Rahul Sharma]

Now even Missile Vessels are costing a lot 😂

Let me ask a simple question. What's the point of going cheap like this, when the entire ship will sink as a result?

Let's take in account of a situation. This Messile ship vs a huge destroyer with 90 messiles. If this ship fire 4 Bromosh all together it will be a fatal threat to any ship. If the enemy ship fire messiles this small ship can get destroyed but as both kill each other momentary cost will be less. Hope U understand. It's known as distribution of assets.

 

[Somebody]

Where is Japanese Unicorn Antenna in the image, no ELM STAR.

 

[The Presence]

Let's take in account of a situation. This Messile ship vs a huge destroyer with 90 messiles. If this ship fire 4 Bromosh all together it will be a fatal threat to any ship. If the enemy ship fire messiles this small ship can get destroyed but as both kill each other momentary cost will be less. Hope U understand. It's known as distribution of assets.

Overhyped BrahMos is based on '90s Soviet technology and it hasn't recieved any speed bump since then.

So 4 BrahMos will do absolutely nothing either to a Frigate or Destroyer. It might sink a Corvette, it might. But where's the cost advantage in this scenario?

 

[Anant]

Let's take in account of a situation. This Messile ship vs a huge destroyer with 90 messiles. If this ship fire 4 Bromosh all together it will be a fatal threat to any ship. If the enemy ship fire messiles this small ship can get destroyed but as both kill each other momentary cost will be less. Hope U understand. It's known as distribution of assets.

Well, these ships would generally be operating in pairs, so that is 8 BrahMos missiles, which is a significant threat, though that is certainly not a guaranteed kill.

 

[Anant]

Now even Missile Vessels are costing a lot 😂

Let me ask a simple question. What's the point of going cheap like this, when the entire ship will sink as a result?

Not disagreeing per se, but these corvettes are not frontline assault units. Assuming the operational doctrine of the Veer- and Khukri-class corvettes is maintained here, these ships would be participating in assaults alongside larger ships, or would operate under significant air cover, or would be used for coastal defence duties.

Then again, given the BrahMos' long range as compared to the Styx (800-900 km vs 75-80 km), these ships may also be engaged as long-distance strike and interdiction units. The SAMs do suggest some potential in this role as well.

As for cost, well, these six boats are set to cost us about Rs. 9,800 crore (1.25 billion USD at the time of signing).

 

[Anant]

Everyone is getting carried away in emotions. Actually Navy is trying to make cheap small fast small Ships with effective fire power. For example This ship though Small posses threat to any Modern Huge destroyer. So it's basically Distribution of assets. If U make a huge ship If it gets destroyed there will be huge loss. If u make Multiple small ships it gets destroyed it will have less loss. It's like drone concept. Cheap but effective.

Boss, if you wanted a small strike asset, you could build a modern version of a Tarantul-class corvette. Take a 500-600 ton corvette hull, throw in 4-8 anti-ship missiles in angled launchers, 8 VLS cells for SAMs or 2 CIWS stations plus a VSHORADS station, put in a gas turbine to reach 35-40 knots, and call it a day. That would be cheaper than the NGMV is, and would be a dedicated strike asset. You could also theoretically model the ship similar to the Visby-class corvettes from Sweden and get reduced visibility characteristics.

The NGMVs cost about 210 million USD apiece, which is fairly expensive. Moreover, the size and design of the ships doesn't exactly lend well to hit-and-run scenarios either, even if you take the 35 knot top speed into account.

Right now, the only viable use for these would be as second-line strike assets or as long-range interdiction assets, or for coastal defence.

 

[Anant]

Where is Japanese Unicorn Antenna in the image, no ELM STAR.

The ships seem to have the EL/M-2238 STAR system. This is a lighter AESA radar, and the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR was designed from the STAR system.

The STAR system is smaller and lighter, and better suited for smaller ships. It is even used on our Shivalik-class frigates. Then again, the Israelis have shown that a lighter version of the MF-STAR can be used on small surface combatants such as the Sa'ar 5 and Sa'ar 6 corvettes.

 

[Sandeep]

Overhyped BrahMos is based on '90s Soviet technology and it hasn't recieved any speed bump since then.

So 4 BrahMos will do absolutely nothing either to a Frigate or Destroyer. It might sink a Corvette, it might. But where's the cost advantage in this scenario?

The Brahmos missile can do a massive amount of damage because of the heavy warhead and high speed of impact will rip massive holes into a ship including destroyers. You should watch a video online of a test showing the kind of damage the missile can do.

 

[Leored]

Are this petrol boats?? If not what this 4 missiles will do. I think they have to go back in drawing board and think 10 times what are they doing? While Russian US and Chinese building larger stronger and high tech ships. We are looking for small cost effective and non efficient ships. Each ship after firing 4 missiles will become duck 🐣 just to enjoy the show.

 

[Sandeep]

The navy should not have reduced the number of missiles that it can carry as it needs the fire power. The only reason for not doing this is maybe because of the high expensive cost of the Brahmos missile but eventually it was going to be replaced with our own NASM so the price would have reduced eventually.

Hopefully they haven’t reduced any of its VL-SRSAM missile defence shield but they should also make sure the boat has its very fast engine to make it difficult for the enemy to track the ship and launch a missile at it.

 

[Shiva]

Potentially may include hypersonic, or artillery, or modern gun systems, or anti-war activities. Who knows? These kinds of strategic decisions are not revealed by any country. Public expectations of such revelations are unwarranted. Better not to discuss these things.

 

[Deb]

People shitting in the comment section has never been on a warship or even in any naval conflict scenario, yet they feel they know better than the men and women in uniform who themselves will be the first casualty of their so called stupidity or cheapness or blah blah blah.
!!!
Seriously, hilarious people...
No body even talked about the already successful extension in range keeping the same missile dimension and the ongoing development on more speed of the current Brahmos 1.
Nobody talked about the possibility of integration of the SMART torpedo system...!!!
Seriously... People in comment section with peanut sized brains... Get a life
!!!