The Republic of India is making significant strides towards the enhancement of self-reliance in the defence sector with the development of a cutting-edge Long-Range Surface Air Missile system (LRSAM). This indigenous project aims to establish a three-layered defence system capable of targeting and neutralising enemy aircraft and missiles from a range of approximately 400 kilometres.
The project, valued at over 2.5 billion, will catapult India into an elite group of nations possessing indigenous capabilities to tackle aerial threats from long distances.
What is LRSAM
According to sources from the Defence Ministry, the proposal for the development of the missile system (LRSAM) is progressing well and is expected to be submitted for approval. The LRSAM system will consist of three layers of surface-to-air missiles, each designed to engage targets at different ranges.
The LRSAM is jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to equip the ships of the Indian Navy.
It can provide point-and-area defence against aerial targets, including fighter aircraft, subsonic, supersonic as well as cruise missiles.
It is powered by an indigenously developed dual rocket pulse motor and dual control systems to impart required manoeuvrability at the terminal phase. It is also equipped with a Radio Frequency seeker to identify, track, engage and destroy the target with high kill probability.
After the LRSAM project was taken over by the DRDO, the Indian Navy changed the name of its indigenous LRSAM to MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile System). The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have already named a similar indigenous system as MRSAM.
The LRSAM program consists of missiles, Radar, a Weapon Control System, a vertical launcher and a two-way data link.
Similar Weapon Platforms
The Indian Armed Forces have also acquired the S-400 Triumf air defence systems from the Russian Federation. It can hit targets at a 400km maximum distance and can also take out targets at shorter ranges as well. India has three squadrons which are equipped with this potent weapon. The delivery of the remaining two units is unclear.
This system is possessed by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), and it has deployed this weapon in the LAC (Line of Actual Control) with India. The Chinese also have their own indigenous systems, but they are less capable than the S-400.
India’s Surface-to-Air Missile Programme
Apart from the S-400 and the LRSAM, India possesses other surface-to-missile systems such as the Maitri (Quick Reaction Surface to Air missile system). It has a lethal near-hundred per cent kill probability under development by the DRDO. The Indian Defence Forces have indigenously built missiles in its inventory, notably the Akash, Trishul Missile, Akash New-Generation Missiles etc. The Indian Air Force, in particular, additionally uses the AAD (Advanced Air Defence System) that can engage targets up to 10,000 metres.
Geopolitical Implications
The development and complete acquisition of the LRSAM and the MRSAM by the Indian Armed Forces will prove to be a successful deterrent for Pakistan and China, both of which possess a two-front war threat to India as well as place India in the league of advanced nations that possess similar indigenously built missiles.
It will also represent the indigenous strength and embolden the symbolism of the “Make in India” initiative launched by PM Narendra Modi. With rapid production and manufacturing of this weapon, India can also export this weapon to other states with which it has friendly relations and bonhomie.
Since India and Israel are the prominent entities involved in the development of missiles, the defence cooperation between the two nations will be incremented manifold.
