Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar announced on February 26th that the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile would now serve as the primary weapon for the Indian Navy, replacing older missile systems sourced from other countries.

In an interview with ANI, Admiral Kumar emphasized the evolution and potency of the BrahMos missile, highlighting its enhanced range, capabilities, and lethality. He stated, “BrahMos will be our primary weapon now as the surface-to-surface missile weapon. Probably the Air Force and the air fighters also will have that as the primary air-to-surface weapon.”

The Navy chief’s remarks came in the wake of the Cabinet Committee on Security’s approval of over 200 BrahMos missiles and associated equipment, amounting to approximately ₹19,000 crore for the Indian Navy.

Speaking at the Maharashtra MSME Defence Exposition in Moshi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Admiral Kumar underscored India’s self-reliance in producing the BrahMos missile and praised its strategic significance.

He highlighted the swift replacement of older missile systems with BrahMos, emphasizing the quick installation and availability of spares, which significantly contribute to India’s defence capabilities.

Admiral Kumar emphasized the critical role of maritime security agencies like the Indian Navy and Coast Guard in securing safe seas as India aims to become the third-largest economy globally.

He noted the growing use of sensitive technologies by non-state and rogue actors, citing concerns regarding weapons of mass destruction such as missiles and drones.

With 88% of the country’s oil imports arriving via sea routes, Admiral Kumar stressed the importance of maritime security and protecting India’s exclusive economic zone for resources and wealth.

He affirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding global trade routes and India’s maritime interests, highlighting operations against drones and piracy in the Arabian Sea.

In line with the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, Admiral Kumar stressed the strategic imperative of a self-reliant defence industry, warning against dependence on external sources for defence equipment, which could compromise national security and growth.

In response to the escalating maritime security situation in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy executed a strategic aerial insertion of its MARCOS special forces operatives, bolstering its anti-piracy operations in the region.

The deployment, aimed at ensuring prompt action against maritime threats, underscores the Navy’s proactive stance in safeguarding vital sea lanes.

According to a statement released by the Indian Navy’s spokesperson on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the aerial insertion of MARCOS (Marine Commandos) special forces operatives was carried out by para dropping them alongside inflatable speedboats from a C-130 military transport aircraft.

The C-130 aircraft, belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), played a pivotal role in facilitating the operation, demonstrating seamless inter-service cooperation.

“In response to ongoing #MaritimeSecurity situation in #GulfofAden & #ArabianSea & to ensure prompt action against any maritime threat, #IndianNavy undertook airborne insertion of #SpecialForces, paradropping inflatable crafts & #MARCOs from C-130 in #Arabian Sea,” the Navy’s post on social media highlighted.

The Gulf of Aden has witnessed a resurgence in piracy incidents and emerging maritime security challenges, including drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels by Yemen-based Houthi militias. In recent months, the Indian Navy has thwarted multiple piracy attempts off the eastern coast of Somalia, underscoring its commitment to maintaining maritime security and stability in the region.

In early February, the Indian Navy successfully intervened to rescue crew members of Iranian-flagged fishing vessels targeted by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Notably, the naval patrol vessel INS Sharda intercepted and repelled a piracy attempt on the Iranian-flagged FV Omari, rescuing crew members of Pakistani and Iranian nationality. Additionally, INS Sumitra thwarted another piracy attempt targeting the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi, safeguarding the lives of its crew members.

Further highlighting the Navy’s swift response to maritime emergencies, a Palau-flagged vessel, MV Islander, came under attack, likely by a drone or missile, on February 22.

In a coordinated operation, an Indian Navy destroyer mission deployed in the Gulf of Aden promptly arrived at the scene to provide assistance. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists embarked on the distressed vessel to mitigate any residual risks, ensuring the safe transit of the vessel.

The Indian Navy’s proactive measures and rapid response capabilities reaffirm its role as a key stakeholder in safeguarding maritime security and promoting stability in critical sea lanes. As maritime threats evolve, the Navy remains vigilant and prepared to address emerging challenges to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and secure global maritime trade routes.

In the latest development in the escalating underwater warfare landscape of the Indian Ocean Region, India has announced plans to test a 500 km range submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) in the upcoming days.

This comes hot on the heels of Pakistan’s recent keel laying ceremony for an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarine, underscoring the intensifying competition in the maritime domain.

India’s SLCM program is strategically motivated by factors such as China’s expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan’s advancements in missile technology.

Seen as a crucial addition to bolster India’s defence capabilities, SLCMs are envisioned to provide a survivable sea-based element complementing the country’s land-based rocket force.

The SLCMs, which follow a low-altitude trajectory during flight to evade radar detection, will be deployed on submarines constructed under Project 75I. Competing for the project are German ThyssenKrupp AG and Spanish Navantia, with plans to eventually increase the missile’s range to 800 kilometers.

Former Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat first articulated the concept of the Indian Rocket Force, with the SLCMs forming an integral part of this strategic vision. The successful integration of SLCMs onto submarines like the Kalvari-class SSKs and the nuclear-powered Arihant ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) is deemed crucial.

The impending test of the 500 km range SLCM follows a trial conducted in February 2023, during which the missile achieved its objectives within a range of 402 kilometers.

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has also completed the development of the Pralay ballistic missiles, with plans for long-range land-attack cruise missiles and SLCMs with a 1000 km range to be ready for production in the coming years.

India’s strategic defense capabilities are set to witness further enhancement with the inclusion of coastal batteries armed with the BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) and land-based long-range ASCMs derived from the subsonic Nirbhay cruise missile.

These systems are expected to play a significant role in India’s anti-access/area denial architecture, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Amidst the backdrop of a growing capability gap with China’s PLA Rocket Force, India is working diligently to bolster its defence capabilities. Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane emphasized the importance of aggregating fires rather than platforms, drawing lessons from conflicts like the Azerbaijan and Armenia conflict in August 2021.

As tensions continue to simmer in the Indian Ocean Region, the upcoming test of India’s 500 km range SLCM underscores the nation’s steadfast commitment to enhancing its defence preparedness and safeguarding its maritime interests.