India is planning to make its submarines much more powerful by adding BrahMos supersonic missiles to them. These missiles can hit targets up to 800 kilometers away and will be launched from special vertical tubes while the submarine is still underwater. This move will boost India’s ability to defend itself in the Indian Ocean and respond quickly to threats.
In a big step for India’s naval power, the deadly BrahMos supersonic cruise missile will soon be added to the Indian Navy’s new Project 75-India (P-75I) submarines. These submarines will feature a Vertical Launch System (VLS), allowing them to launch BrahMos missiles while staying underwater - giving them a surprise strike advantage. Dr. Sudhir Mishra, former head of BrahMos Aerospace, confirmed that talks with key officials from the P-75I program have taken place. These discussions have led to a plan to install at least eight VLS modules in each P-75I submarine. These will be capable of carrying the BrahMos Extended Range (ER) missiles, which can strike targets as far as 800 kilometers away. This major upgrade will allow India’s submarines to launch long-range attacks on enemy ships and land targets, greatly improving India’s defence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The P-75I project involves building six advanced diesel-electric submarines under the “Make in India” program. Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been selected to build the submarines using the U-214NG design. This design combines features from Germany’s U-212D and U-212A submarines. Although the original U-214NG doesn’t have a VLS, plans are now being made to modify the design so it can launch BrahMos missiles. Adding the BrahMos-ER through a VLS is a game-changer for the Indian Navy. The BrahMos-ER is a more powerful version of the regular BrahMos missile. It flies at nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8) and is guided using satellites and radar for very accurate strikes. These missiles can hit high-value targets like enemy warships, military bases, and important land locations. Launching them from underwater makes them even more deadly and difficult to detect. Dr. Mishra also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with TKMS about how to fit the VLS into the submarines. Germany is working on developing a stronger Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system to give these submarines longer underwater endurance, which is important for India’s naval missions in the IOR. However, it’s still unclear if adding the VLS will require major changes to the submarine’s structure, or if it can be added using existing design features. At the same time, India is upgrading its older submarines like the Kalvari-class (Scorpène) and Kilo-class (Sindhughosh-class). These submarines will get the new BrahMos-Next Generation (NG) missile. This is a smaller and lighter version of the BrahMos that can be launched from standard torpedo tubes (533mm), so it doesn’t need a VLS. The BrahMos-NG still travels at supersonic speeds and has a range of 290 to 450 kilometers, but it’s much easier to fit into older submarines, aircraft, and smaller ships. This smart mix of upgrading older subs with BrahMos-NG and arming the new P-75I subs with BrahMos-ER gives India a powerful edge. The Navy can keep using its current fleet effectively while preparing for future warfare with advanced weapons. By adding VLS and long-range BrahMos missiles to its submarines, India is sending a strong message: it is ready to defend its interests in the Indo-Pacific region. With Chinese naval activity growing in the Indian Ocean, having stealthy submarines that can strike from 800 km away gives India a stronger deterrence and better control over the seas.India’s New Submarines to Get Powerful BrahMos Missiles, Boosting Naval Strength
