The Indian Navy already has the Russian Klub missile in service, which is deployed on its Kilo-class submarines and six Talwar-class frigates.
In a major boost to India’s naval offense capabilities, New Delhi has inked a deal with Moscow to procure Russian-made anti-ship cruise missiles, days after India shortlisted German TKMS’s bid for building six submarines for the Indian Navy. In a statement, the Union Ministry of Defense said it has signed a contract with Russia for the procurement of anti-ship cruise missiles for the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet.
“The Ministry of Defence today inked a contract with Russia for the procurement of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. These missiles will significantly augment the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet,” the Defense Ministry said in a post on X.
Notably, the cruise missiles will reportedly be deployed on the Indian Navy’s Russian-made submarines, not on the newer ones it will acquire from the German manufacturer. The Indian Navy’s Russian submarine fleet included INS Sindhughosh, INS Sindhudhvaj, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhuvir, INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhukesari, INS Sindhukirti, INS Sindhuvijay, INS Sindhurakshak, and INS Sindhushastra.
INS Sindhudhvaj, INS Sindhurakshak, and INS Sindhuvir have been decommissioned, and two more subs are likely to be retired over the next few years, according to experts.
While there is no information about the family and the number of missiles India is procuring from Russia, experts believe that it will likely be 3M-54 Klub-S missiles, the export variant of Kalibr missiles, based on the reports that the missiles will be carried by the Indian Army’s Russian Kilo-class (Sindhughosh-class) diesel-electric submarines,
How powerful are Russian Klub-S cruise missiles?
With the ability to reach supersonic speeds in the terminal phase, 3M-54 Klub-S, is highly difficult for missile defense systems to intercept, and can be used to engage both naval and land-based targets. The Russian anti-ship missile features a modular design, and cruises at an altitude of 10-15 meters, reducing the reaction time for enemy defenses.
The Klub-S variant, which shares common parts with other variants in the Kalibr family, can be launched from Kilo-class, Lada-class, Akula-class, Yasen-class and Borei-class submarines, and can also be deployed on warships such as Admiral Gorshkov-class, Admiral Grigorovich-class, Gepard-class, Gremyashchy-class, and Buyan-M-class ships.
According to experts, the 3M-54 Klub-S missile provides submarines with long-range, precision strike capability against both naval and land targets, thus enhancing their combat effectiveness, Additionally, the missile is equipped with an advanced guidance system to ensure precision strikes and pinpoint accuracy.
Notably, the Indian Navy already has the Klub missile in service, which is deployed on its Kilo-class submarines and six Talwar-class frigates.
Russia-Ukraine war affected India-Russia defence deals
Notably, Russia, which has been the largest exporter of arms and munitions to India for decades, has been unable to make prompt deliveries of several key weapons systems to New Delhi, such as S-400 air defense system, Sukhoi fighter jets, and spares for the T-90 tanks, since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022.
As per reports, Russia has not been able to supply India with the two remaining S-400 air defense systems, as well as spare parts for some key munitions purchased by New Delhi earlier, including the T-90 tanks– India’s main battle tank.
