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SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has been identified as a key driver behind the development of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). While the LRAShM was initially conceived for coastal defense, its massive size and weight have rendered it incompatible with integration on the Navy’s frontline warships. However, this limitation has not diminished its strategic value; instead, it has led to a unique deployment strategy aimed at enhancing coastal security and deterrence.

The missile employs a hybrid propulsion system, combining rocket boosters for initial launch with a scramjet engine for sustained hypersonic flight. This technology allows LRAShM to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making it incredibly difficult for enemy defenses to counter.

With an impressive range of around 1,500 kilometers, LRAShM can reach and engage targets deep into enemy territory or out at sea. Its payload is designed to inflict significant damage, capable of neutralizing even large naval targets like aircraft carriers.

Given its size, the LRAShM is best suited for land-based deployment, particularly in coastal regions where it can serve as a deterrent against naval incursions. The missile’s long reach ensures that it can protect vast stretches of coastline without the need for naval platforms.

By stationing LRAShM batteries along the coastline, the Indian Navy can extend its defensive and offensive capabilities. This setup acts as a significant deterrent against potential adversaries contemplating naval aggression in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The missile system complements the Navy’s existing capabilities, allowing it to engage enemy fleets at ranges where traditional naval assets might not reach, thus acting as a force multiplier. While not deployable on ships, LRAShM can protect naval bases and critical maritime chokepoints from enemy naval threats, indirectly safeguarding the Navy’s frontline assets.

Deploying such a system requires robust infrastructure for storage, maintenance, and launch operations, which must be developed along the coast. This includes secure facilities, transportation networks for missiles, and possibly the expansion of radar and communication systems to support LRAShM operations.

The coordination between the Navy’s sea-based and the LRAShM’s land-based operations will require new tactics and possibly a rethinking of command structures to ensure seamless engagement strategies. Given the advanced technology, the LRAShM will likely incur significant costs in development, production, and maintenance, which needs to be balanced against the Navy’s overall budget.

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