India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). This event took place on November 12, 2024, from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The missile has a striking range of 1,000 km and represents a new variant of the Nirbhay missile.
Development and Features
The LRLACM has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bengaluru. It benefits from collaboration with various DRDO laboratories and Indian industries. Key partners in the missile’s development include Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. The LRLACM features advanced avionics and software, enhancing its reliability and performance.
Flight Test Details
During the flight test, the missile demonstrated its capability to follow a predetermined path using waypoint navigation. It successfully performed manoeuvres at different altitudes and speeds. Multiple range sensors, including radar and electro-optical tracking systems, monitored the missile’s performance throughout its flight.
Significance of the Test
This successful test marks an important milestone for India’s defence capabilities. The LRLACM is designed for ground launch using a mobile articulated launcher and can also be fired from frontline ships. It offers the Indian armed forces a long-range standoff capability, similar to that of the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile.
Future Implications
The Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of the LRLACM in July 2020. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh brought into light that this successful launch paves the way for future indigenous cruise missile development programmes. The LRLACM’s terrain-hugging capability allows it to fly low to avoid detection, enhancing its strategic value.
Operational Readiness
Once inducted into service, the LRLACM will enhance India’s military capabilities. It will provide the ability to strike land targets from a considerable distance, thereby improving deterrence and operational readiness against potential threats.
Collaboration and Integration
The integration of various technologies and collaboration between different sectors has been key to the LRLACM’s development. This project exemplifies India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically examine the significance of indigenous missile development in enhancing India’s national security.
- Discuss in the light of recent advancements, how missile technology impacts regional stability in South Asia.
- What are the implications of long-range missile capabilities for India’s defence strategy? Explain.
- With suitable examples, discuss the role of public-private partnerships in defence manufacturing in India.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically examine the significance of indigenous missile development in enhancing India’s national security.
Indigenous missile development, like the LRLACM, boosts India’s national security by reducing reliance on foreign technology and enhancing self-sufficiency. It encourages technological advancements, ensuring that India can tailor its defence systems to specific threats. Additionally, successful tests boost deterrence capabilities, sending a clear message to potential adversaries. The ability to produce advanced weapons domestically also strengthens the economy and creates jobs, further contributing to national stability. Ultimately, indigenous missile programs enhance strategic autonomy, allowing India to respond effectively to evolving geopolitical challenges.
2. Discuss in the light of recent advancements, how missile technology impacts regional stability in South Asia.
Recent advancements in missile technology, particularly with India’s LRLACM, have heightened regional stability concerns in South Asia. Enhanced missile capabilities can escalate arms races, prompting neighboring countries to boost their own military arsenals, potentially destabilizing the region. The development of long-range missiles enables preemptive strike capabilities, altering conventional military strategies. However, it can also serve as a deterrent against aggression, encouraging stability if perceived as defensive. Ultimately, the impact of missile technology on regional stability hinges on diplomatic engagements and confidence-building measures among South Asian nations.
3. What are the implications of long-range missile capabilities for India’s defence strategy? Explain.
Long-range missile capabilities, such as those offered by the LRLACM, enhance India’s defence strategy by providing a standoff capacity to engage targets deep within enemy territory while minimizing risk to personnel and assets. This capability allows for a more flexible response to threats and reinforces deterrence against adversaries. It also enables India to project power regionally, thereby influencing geopolitical dynamics. Furthermore, such advancements necessitate updates to strategic doctrines and military planning, ensuring that India’s armed forces can effectively integrate these systems into their operational frameworks.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the role of public-private partnerships in defence manufacturing in India.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial in India’s defence manufacturing landscape, exemplified by the development of the LRLACM involving Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. These collaborations leverage private sector innovation and efficiency alongside public sector resources and expertise, accelerating technology transfer and production capabilities. For instance, HAL’s partnership with private firms for aircraft components has enhanced indigenous production. PPPs also encourage competitiveness, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce costs. As India’s defence sector increasingly emphasizes self-reliance, effective PPPs will be vital for achieving strategic autonomy and modernizing military capabilities.
