The acquisition of the Medium Range Anti-Ship Missile (MRAShM) by the Indian Navy has been authorized by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), which will substantially enhance the navy's offensive capabilities. On November 30, 2023, under the leadership of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of these sophisticated missiles.
The MRAShM, a lightweight Surface-to-Surface Missile developed domestically, is designed to function as the principal offensive armament on board Indian Naval Ships. It is engineered to penetrate a diverse array of targets, comprising merchant vessels, coastal fortifications, and warships.
The MRAShM will be installed on twenty-four present and future warships, including six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) that are scheduled to enter service within the next decade, three destroyers of the Delhi class, and four missile corvettes of the Kora class. The purpose of these missiles is to substitute the anti-ship Zvezda Kh-35 Uran legacy missile systems that are presently installed on these vessels.
The incorporation of the MRAShM into the armament of the Indian Navy will substantially bolster its offensive capabilities, thereby furnishing a formidable deterrent to potential adversaries. The improved missile's capabilities in terms of range, accuracy, and anti-ship combat will bolster the Indian Navy's capacity to defend its maritime interests and safeguard its territorial waters.
By defence.in Exclusive
