SOURCE: AFI
In a striking display of technological prowess, recent imagery and data have facilitated a size comparison between India’s latest hypersonic weapon, the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), and two of China’s notable missile systems, the DF-21D and DF-17. This comparison not only sheds light on the physical dimensions of these weapons but also underscores the strategic implications in the context of regional maritime security, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the LRAShM is noted for its compact and streamlined design. The missile, tailored for anti-ship engagements, measures significantly less in size compared to its Chinese counterparts. With an estimated range of around 1500-2000 kilometers, the LRAShM is designed to be both agile and potent, especially when deployed from smaller platforms or in more constrained environments.
DF-21D Known as the “carrier killer,” this Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile is larger and more robust, designed to engage moving naval targets at sea with a range extending beyond 1500 kilometers. Its size is necessitated by its role, which includes a hefty warhead capable of dealing significant damage to large vessels like aircraft carriers.
DF-17 is China’s hypersonic ballistic missile system that carries a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). It’s larger than LRAShM due to its dual-stage design, with the first stage being a conventional missile and the second being the HGV. The DF-17 has a range speculated to be between 1800 to 2500 kilometers, providing China with a strategic edge in land-attack and anti-ship roles.
While the LRAShM might have a shorter reach compared to the DF-21D or DF-17, its smaller size and hypersonic capabilities offer unique advantages. The compact nature of the LRAShM allows for deployment from a variety of platforms, including land-based Coastal Defence Systems, which can be strategically placed along India’s extensive coastline. This flexibility means that India can rapidly respond to naval threats without the need for large, easily detectable launch sites.
Hypersonic speed, defined as traveling above Mach 5, combined with advanced guidance systems, makes the LRAShM a formidable weapon against moving targets. Its ability to maneuver at high speeds could significantly complicate interception efforts by potential adversaries, especially when targeting high-value assets like aircraft carriers in the IOR.
Although the range is limited compared to some ballistic missiles, the LRAShM’s deployment as part of India’s coastal defense strategy could serve as a deterrent against Chinese naval incursions into the Indian Ocean. Its presence signals India’s capability to threaten even the most advanced naval assets, thereby ensuring regional stability and asserting India’s maritime security interests.