India Bets on Fire and Fury

Aditya Kakkar

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 28 cleared the procurement of missiles for replenishing the naval inventory including the procurement of Russian Klub missiles that would be equipped on older warships such as the Kora class missile corvettes and the Delhi class frigates. The move indicates India’s necessary interest in acquiring new anti-ship missile systems to secure its naval backyard and remain the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Indian Navy on August 8 also issued requests to global vendors inviting their interest in supplying about 270 combat, 40 practice, 10 training, 6 dummy and 4 cut section medium range anti-ship missiles. Under the aegis of ‘Make in India’, India will also acquire transfer of technology (ToT) from the selected global vendor. The tender is to be issued during the first half of 2018.

Anti-ship missiles currently deployed on large Indian Navy frigates and destroyers include the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as well as Russian-made Kh-35 and 3M Klub anti-ship missile variants. The Indian Navy also uses American-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles on its submarines and on Boeing P-8I aircrafts.

When asked about naval missile systems, Country Head, India, MBDA, Loïc Piedevache said, “MICA has already been selected by the export market for the naval and ground-based air defence role. In its naval variant, it is housed in a specially designed, compact launch canister that effectively manages