A Nirbhay cruise missile prior to testing.
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A test of the Nirbhay cruise missile - most probably the October 17, 2014 test.
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PETE's COMMENT
Following a successful second test of India's Nirbhay cruise missile on October 17, 2014 it is a good time to discuss the Nirbhay's role. This second test follows the first test on March 12, 2013. Being a relatively small missile the Nirbhay (Sanskrit for "fearless") can potentially be launched by any means including land-mobile launchers, fighter-bombers, surface ships or (nuclear or conventionally propelled) submarines. The Nirbhay's warhead may be conventional high explosive, nuclear or chemical (biological is possible but increasingly unlikely). The inherent vulnerability of this subsonic cruise missile to anti-aircraft or dedicated anti-missile defences makes it less suitable as a nuclear delivery vehicle only. The dual-use or triple-use ambiguity makes it inadvisable to fire a Nirbhay as a first strike against a nuclear armed country.
The Nirbhay might fit well into India's second strike only strategy against the most likely aggressors (Pakistan and China). The Nirbhay's estimated range of 1,500 km would permit any part of Pakistan to be hit from Indian territory or perhaps from the Arabian Sea. From the Bay of Bengal some Chinese targets could be hit. With difficulty Nirbhay armed Indian subs could cross into the Western Pacific in order to hit some of China's major coastal cities. If fired by submarine the Nirbhay's 0.52m diameter makes it deliverable from a conventionally powered submarine's (SSK's) standard 0.533m torpedo tubes - thus giving SSKs a more potent nuclear warfare role than shorter range nuclear tipped Klub or Harpoon SLCMs allow.
Alternatively Nirbhays could be fired from a future Indian SSN's or SSGN's vertical launch tubes - thus eventually giving India a dual-use capability for those two submarine classes. In the Indian Ocean most of India's potential targets will be non-nuclear armed countries making these dual-use subs more economical than nuclear weapon only K-15 or K-4 armed future Indian SSBNs.
Further details on the second test and comments on the Nirbhay's strategic role are at http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/meet-indias-new-nuclear-cruise-missile/ .
Pete
Pak too is very busy with Babur trials.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/rajfortyseven/status/523670972327395328
Hi RAJ47
ReplyDeleteYes Pakistan's Barbur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur_(cruise_missile) looks formidable.
As its packaged at 0.52 metres diameter for normal 0.533m torpedo tube launch it may in time give Pak's conventional subs an improved second strike nuclear capability.
Meanwhile I suspect Pak might have the option of nuclear warheads for the Exocets in its http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agosta-class_submarine#Pakistan_Navy .
Regards
Pete
hi pete..
ReplyDeletecan you please give comparison or various ssk for better understanding.
Hi nkp
ReplyDeleteComparisons of SSKs particularly those owned by or of interest to Australia (under future submarine SEA 1000) are throughout my blog - in 100+ posts. Also see Chinese and Russian built SSKs.
To navigate throughout my blog type keywords into the search box on the left hand corner at the top.
Regards
Pete
hi pete
ReplyDeletethanks for reply
i am more interested towards india's point of view. basically for project 75I.(amur vs type 214 vs soryu vs scorpene)
if you already have done this please send me the link
nice informative blog by the way
Hi nkp
ReplyDeleteTo find all the references to amur use http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/search?q=amur
or place amur in the top lefthand search box
similarly use these search methods for the type 214 216 218sg dolphin soryu scorpene and now the SMX Ocean .
Similarly search for 75I using string http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/search?q=75I
I haven't considered doing tailor-made research projects before - although Indian commenters in the past have alerted me to new missile tests and new submarine activities.
Regards
Pete