LR-SAM - Why it's Worth the Wait!

LR-SAM at Aero India 2011

One of the reasons why the Navy isn't as worried as the defense journos that INS Kolkata was commissioned with 48 empty cells of vertically launched Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LR-SAM) that are to shield it against an attack by anti-shipping missiles, is because the missile system, when it's finally installed, would give the warship the best protection money can buy  in the world today! You can cross check that claim with any Navy man - he will agree!  What is confounding is the missile hasn't been tested even once! The confidence reposed in the missile system stems from its pedigree. It's basically an Israeli missile.

Former Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash gives an interesting insight in today's Business Standard as to how the missile came to be the most coveted AD weapon system on Indian warships.

He recalls how the Israeli Navy, on behalf of its defense industry, offered the Indian Navy the long-range SAM with "superior anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense capabilities" in 2004-05.

"The 'cherry on the cake' was to be the new multi-function phased-array radar that accompanied it. There was no altruism behind this offer; the small numbers required by the Israelis made the project economically unviable for them, and there were not many nations they could trust with such sensitive technology. Driving a hard bargain, the IN obtained Israeli agreement for joint development and co-production of systems.

"Showing eminent good sense and pragmatism, the DRDO leadership agreed to the navy's proposal for a path-breaking tripartite collaborative arrangement with the Israelis for the development of the LR-SAM. The funding as well as manpower liabilities were shared by the IN and DRDO. The project, involving DRDO scientists, naval engineers and the defense-industry has rendered tremendous benefits to all three participants and, notwithstanding development delays, will bring the IN to front rank of navies technologically."

DRDO Chief, Avinash Chander, in a recent interview gave his own insight into the project. He said, "The Armed forces had actually tried to buy such a system from abroad, but nothing was really available that would come with satisfactory terms. And that is how we got into a joint venture with Israel, the system had to be developed ab initio. So there were issues with respect to radar development, issues with respect to the actuation system as well which was initially supposed to be pneumatic but then had to be changed to electromechanical. Then there was the two pulse motor which was being done for the first time and that got into certain combustion stability problems. But the good news is that all those problems have now been overcome. We launched a massive program on the rocket motor and today we have a motor which is stable and will be tested shortly."

There is a lot more to the LR-SAM project, only for IDP Sentinel members, at the link below:

Barak-8 / MR-SAM / LR-SAM - IDP Sentinel

DRDO Developing Long Range Anti-Shipping Ballistic Missile to Counter China's DF-21D

When sailing in the Bay of Bengal Indian aircraft carriers can be easily targeted by Chinese DF-21D missile

DRDO is working on a Chinese DF-21D missile analog.

August 24, 2014 - DRDO Chief Avinash Chander told the press recently that the DRDO is developing a long range anti-shipping ballistic missile capable of striking enemy aircraft carriers 1500-2000 km from our shores.

"The long range anti-ship missile is on the drawing board, and we are confident that in about six years we would be able to get it ready," Chander said.

Somewhat similar to the Chinese DF-21D, the missile would follow a ballistic trajectory to evade ship based radars and use its seeker to locate and strike an aircraft carrier. Chander didn't say how the initial targeting information would be obtained. 

Warships comprising a carrier group are honed to detect and engage low to medium level threats, such as fighter aircraft and anti-shipping missiles launched from stand-off ranges. Their radar beams don't look up beyond around 60-deg exposing the carrier to ballistic missiles attack. 

The challenge in developing an anti-shipping ballistic missile lies in obtaining initial targeting information and end-game tracking of a carrier moving at around 30-kts (60 kph). Airborne ISR assets employed to obtain targeting information can be easily engaged and neutralized by carrier group warships in a protective cordon around the aircraft carrier. Low level satellite coverage can do the job if it's persistent, which requires a a large satellite constellation of low orbit satellites to be deployed, a very expensive proposition.

IDP Sentinel members may also like to read updates on the following projects

Long Range Surface to Air Missile (250-300 km) (IDP Sentinel)

Anti Radiation Missile (ARM) - IDP Sentinel

DRDO's Man Portable ATGM (IDP Sentinel)

DRDO's QR-SAM - IDP Sentinel

FGFA Front End Engineering Design Complete

FGFA Scale Model on Display at Aero India 2013

On August 15, 2014, IANS reported that Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has completed the front-end engineering design of the FGFA for the IAF. The UAC is currently preparing the contract on the aircraft's full-scale development.

UAC president Mikhail Pogosyan told Arms-Tass, "We have completed the front end engineering design stage. The work on the preparation of the contract on the FGFA full-scale development is now in progress."

It was earlier reported that a contract for R&D is being prepared. It was expected to be signed in late 2013. The value of the R&D contract is estimated to be worth $11 billion.

The delay in signing the R&D contract is attributed to India's concerns about its low level of participation in developing the aircraft, cost-overruns, delays and Russia's willingness to implement the 40 to 45 improvements in the fighter aircraft’s design that India has sought.

HAL and Sukhoi finalized the design and technical specs of the aircraft and agreed on a work share for the research and development (R&D) phase in April 2013.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at the link below.

Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) / FGFA (IDP Sentinel)

Navy Initiates Procurement of Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SRSAM) System for Naval Surface Platform: IDP Exclusive!

Bara missile, a possible SRSAM contender, on display at Aero India 2011

The Indian Navy on August 6, 2014 initiated procurement of a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) System for Indian Naval ships.

The Navy appears open to both vertical launch, canister based missile system; or over the deck, mechanical, rail launched system featuring automating loading from below deck missile storage compartments. The former are better suited to stealthy warships.

The system is required to be capable of engaging targets traveling at up to Mach 3.

The type of initial guidance is not stipulated but the missile is required to feature active RF seeker for the terminal guidance.

A minimum service life of 10-years is mandated, with provision to extend the life based on periodic inspection. The entire system should be easily transportable from ashore to a ship in containers mounted on vehicles.

The Navy's willingness to accept an over the deck rail launch could mean the immediate requirement is for a non stealthy warship.

It maybe noted that INS Vikramaditya currently does not have a Close-In Warfare System (CIWS) to neutralize anti-shipping missiles, or a long range Point Defense Missile System (PDMS) system to defend against fighter and bomber threats.

The CIWS is slated to be fitted in April-June 2015 at the Karwar naval base. On June 18, 2014, Indian Express reported that the an AK 630 system manufactured in India would be fitted.

Navy sources told The Tribune in June 2014 that the PDMS would be either the Israeli Barak or Russian Shitil missiles.

IDP Sentinel members can access more information at the link below

Short Range Surface to Air Missile(SRSAM) System for Naval Surface Platform (IDP Sentinel)