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| CREDIT:Brahmos.com |
New Delhi, India – India’s indigenous defense capabilities are poised for a significant leap forward as the BrahMos-NG Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) approaches a pivotal phase of testing.
This next-generation weapon system is designed to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s underwater strike capabilities, marking a crucial advancement for the nation’s ongoing Project-75I (P-75I) submarine acquisition program.
The BrahMos-NG SLCM represents a compact yet devastating evolution of the acclaimed BrahMos missile family.
Building on the success of the BrahMos-NG Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) variant, this submarine-specific iteration has been meticulously engineered for seamless integration with modern naval platforms.
Weighing approximately 1.5 tons, its lighter design is tailored for launch from standard 533mm torpedo tubes, making it a versatile and stealthy addition to India’s future submarine fleet.
Despite its reduced size, the BrahMos-NG SLCM retains the formidable performance hallmarks of its predecessors. It is designed to achieve speeds exceeding Mach 3.5, placing it firmly in the supersonic class.
With an impressive range of 400-600 kilometers, coupled with precision guidance systems, the missile is capable of engaging a wide array of both land-based and naval targets.
This dual-threat capability, launched from a submerged platform, provides an unparalleled element of surprise and strategic depth to naval operations.
Developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a successful joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the
The upcoming series of tests will be crucial for validating its underwater launch mechanisms, ensuring stability during flight, and confirming its seamless integration with the complex systems of modern submarines.
Previous trials of the original BrahMos SLCM concept had already established the feasibility of torpedo tube launches, paving the way for this enhanced, more efficient NG variant.
“The BrahMos-NG SLCM is a vital step toward equipping our submarines with world-class strike capabilities,” a BrahMos Aerospace spokesperson noted, emphasizing that the impending tests will solidify its operational readiness in alignment with the Indian Navy’s strategic requirements.
This advanced missile is set to become a cornerstone of India’s naval deterrence strategy under the ambitious P-75I program. This flagship “Make in India” initiative aims to procure six cutting-edge diesel-electric submarines, each equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems for extended submerged endurance and enhanced stealth.
The BrahMos-NG SLCM’s torpedo tube compatibility ensures it can be deployed across various submarine designs currently being evaluated for P-75I, including those offered by global defense leaders like Naval Group (France), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), and Navantia (Spain).
The integration of the BrahMos-NG SLCM will
This capability will significantly amplify India’s power projection capabilities within the Indo-Pacific, a region of escalating strategic importance and complex maritime dynamics.
As India continues to fortify its defense posture, the BrahMos-NG SLCM stands as a testament to its commitment to self-reliance and regional security.