Good to see the laser-guided variant on the roadmap.
The 70mm LGRs that Adani is license manufacturing has been effective in Ukraine. Built at ~$10K to take out Geran's at ~$50K. I'm sure India will do better once economies of scale kick in.
The 70mm LGRs that Adani is license manufacturing has been effective in Ukraine. Built at ~$10K to take out Geran's at ~$50K. I'm sure India will do better once economies of scale kick in.
A significant number of SCALP Cruise missiles are being ordered by the Indian Air Force from France, and discussions are underway. A decision in this regard is expected to be made soon, defence officials told ANI.The SCALP missiles were launched by the Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets along with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to take out the terrorist headquarters in Muridke and Bahawalpur districts of Pakistan.
Is the DRDO developing an ALCM? From what I can see apart from Brahmos (supersonic) ,which comes from a JV, India does not have an ALCM (subsonic) that comes from a domestic contractor. I have read a few MSMEs and start ups are working on some models. Never heard of any going into in house trials.
An SLCM is in the works:
An SLCM is in the works:
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Yes, there was an AL Nirbhay variant shown some time ago with a drop down scoop inlet instead of the standard flush intake. Current status is unknown.
As @Speedster1 said, a derivative of LRLACM.
A note kept for comparison and data assessment:
Some SCALP statistics taken from Gemini and Google Search. The information below provides the basic data pertaining to its induction timeline. Both the countries involved had already invested a fair bit into their respective ICs. It took the missile roughly 10 years to enter into service post inception.
Initial Contract Value (1997): The primary contract signed by the UK was valued at approximately £700 million (approx. $1.1 billion at the time). This figure covered both the development and the manufacture of the initial batch of missiles for the RAF.
The following table outlines the major milestones from the initial requirements phase to operational deployment and mid-life upgrades.
The amount pertaining to R&D run for LRLACM has not been disclosed. However, the amount spent on Acquisition has been listed below.
In comparison let us take the amount spent by MoD on LRLACM for all services: While the development cost is absorbed into DRDO's internal "Mission Mode" budget, the program value is substantial. The Indian MoD has committed approximately $1.2 Billion (₹10,000 Crore) in total acquisition approvals to induct this long-range strike capability across the armed forces.
Stacking for barebone comparison in terms of standard $ for 2024-2025.
Please do bear in mind that SCALP is a dedicated ALCM. LRLACM along with its derivatives or versions are expected to with all services.
The SCALP program involved a massive initial order to justify the new airframe development.
Some SCALP statistics taken from Gemini and Google Search. The information below provides the basic data pertaining to its induction timeline. Both the countries involved had already invested a fair bit into their respective ICs. It took the missile roughly 10 years to enter into service post inception.
Initial Contract Value (1997): The primary contract signed by the UK was valued at approximately £700 million (approx. $1.1 billion at the time). This figure covered both the development and the manufacture of the initial batch of missiles for the RAF.
The following table outlines the major milestones from the initial requirements phase to operational deployment and mid-life upgrades.
| 1994 | Program Inception | France and the UK initiate studies for a long-range conventional cruise missile. The UK launches the CASOM competition. |
| 1996 | Selection | Matra BAe Dynamics is selected as the preferred contractor for the UK's CASOM requirement, beating competitors like McDonnell Douglas (SLAM-ER) and DASA (Taurus). |
| 1997 | Contract Award | A development and production contract is signed. The UK orders approximately 900 missiles, and France orders 500. This marks the official start of full-scale development. |
| 1998 | French Order | France officially confirms its procurement order for the SCALP EG variant for the Mirage 2000D and Rafale. |
| 2000 | First Guided Flight | The first fully guided firing of the SCALP EG/Storm Shadow takes place successfully at the CEL Biscarrosse range in France. |
| 2002 | Production Starts | Series production begins. The first production missiles are delivered to the British Royal Air Force (RAF). |
| 2003 | Entry into Service | The missile officially enters service with the RAF (Storm Shadow) and the French Air Force (SCALP EG). |
| 2003 | First Combat Use | The RAF fires Storm Shadow missiles operationally for the first time during the invasion of Iraq (Operation Telic) by No. 617 Squadron. |
| 2004 | Naval Variant Launch | Development begins for the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval), a naval variant of the SCALP designed for frigates and submarines. |
| 2011 | Libya Operations | Heavy usage by French (Rafale/Mirage) and UK (Tornado) forces during Operation Ellamy/Harmattan in Libya. |
| 2016 | Support Contract | UK MoD awards a £28 million contract to support the missile system for another 5 years. |
| 2017 | Mid-Life Refurbishment | France and the UK launch a joint Mid-Life Refurbishment (MLR) program to extend the missile's operational life through the 2030s. |
The amount pertaining to R&D run for LRLACM has not been disclosed. However, the amount spent on Acquisition has been listed below.
In comparison let us take the amount spent by MoD on LRLACM for all services: While the development cost is absorbed into DRDO's internal "Mission Mode" budget, the program value is substantial. The Indian MoD has committed approximately $1.2 Billion (₹10,000 Crore) in total acquisition approvals to induct this long-range strike capability across the armed forces.
Stacking for barebone comparison in terms of standard $ for 2024-2025.
Please do bear in mind that SCALP is a dedicated ALCM. LRLACM along with its derivatives or versions are expected to with all services.
The SCALP program involved a massive initial order to justify the new airframe development.
- UK Contract (1997): The UK signed a fixed-price contract worth £700 millionfor development and production of ~900 missiles.
- Exchange Rate (1997): £1 ≈ $1.64 USD.
- Nominal USD: $1.15 Billion.
- French Component (Est.): France ordered 500 missiles. Based on proportional costs, this added approximately $500 million (Nominal 1997 USD) to the program value.
- Total Nominal (1997): ~$1.65 Billion.
- Inflation Factor (1997 → 2025): The cumulative inflation rate is approx. 96.1%.
- 2025 Total: $1.65B × 1.96 = $3.23 Billion.
2. LRLACM (The 2023 Baseline)
The LRLACM benefits from being a derivative of the existing Nirbhay program, significantly lowering R&D costs compared to a "clean sheet" design.- AoN Approval (2023/24): The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for roughly ₹10,000 Croreto cover orders across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Exchange Rate (2023): ₹83 ≈ $1 USD.
- Nominal USD: ~$1.20 Billion.
- Inflation Factor (2023 → 2025): The cumulative inflation rate is approx. 6.2%.
- 2025 Total: $1.20B × 1.06 = $1.27 Billion.
Nirbhay was a TD project started ~2007, iirc. So, it has been a long time coming.
It was initially powered by a Russian engine. Failed a couple of tests until it was finally fitted with the DRDO Manik TF engine.
The project then moved into mission mode as the ITCM before finally being reclassified as LRLACM. The range is now expected to be in the 2000km+ class.
It has also spawned the NASM-MR AShM which will likely replace the Kh-35 and Klub-S onboard IN warships.
Anythint regarding the status of the LR LACM? I've not heard anything since last test 2 years back
Orders or anything expected by when?
Orders or anything expected by when?
Nirbhay started as a mission mode project, then transitioned to TD, and eventually closed down due to failure to achieve results.
ITCM is a TD just to validate manik engine on the airframe. LRLACM/SLCM/ALCM are the resulting mission mode projects after the maturity of associated technologies.
Wasn't another variant (codenamed DSCM -Dual Speed CM) also in the works? Supersonic terminal stage inspired by Klub.
If you read about MSMEs and startups engaged in LM and Missile development, these will be common observations that you will come across:
For the private sector to truly succeed in missile technology, the ecosystem needs Capital Accessibility (long-term investment), assured orders upon meeting technical parameters (removing the NCNC risk), and seamless access to national testing ranges and testing infrastructure on the basis on capability. There are variety of issues from ranging from financing to testing that can prevent certain design/products from maturing. Also, the govt. needs to change its attitude towards accommodating smaller players in verticals especially when it comes to sub-components/sub-systems that lean towards specialisations.
Let's see how things proceed. I was of the opinion that a fair bit has been done in this space. However, it seems there is a lot more that can be done.
Apathy towards struggling organisations and biases towards certain entrenched orgs is visible from a mile away. Let's be a little more even with terms and support.
For the private sector to truly succeed in missile technology, the ecosystem needs Capital Accessibility (long-term investment), assured orders upon meeting technical parameters (removing the NCNC risk), and seamless access to national testing ranges and testing infrastructure on the basis on capability. There are variety of issues from ranging from financing to testing that can prevent certain design/products from maturing. Also, the govt. needs to change its attitude towards accommodating smaller players in verticals especially when it comes to sub-components/sub-systems that lean towards specialisations.
Let's see how things proceed. I was of the opinion that a fair bit has been done in this space. However, it seems there is a lot more that can be done.
Apathy towards struggling organisations and biases towards certain entrenched orgs is visible from a mile away. Let's be a little more even with terms and support.
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Request For Information (Rfi) For Procurement Of Land Attack Cruise Missiles (Lacm) For Conventional Submarines For The Indian Navy
Max range greater than or equal to 500 km.
Max range greater than or equal to 500 km.
Foreign OEM's are not barred from the procurement. Don't know about nirbhay.
The timing of the RfP is interesting. SLCM has been tested for 500km+, has demonstrated sea skimming performance, waypoint nav (via Nirbhay prototypes) and the seeker is probably derived from Brahmos/NASM-SR.
Wonder what the hold-up is.
Imo, there are only 2 int'l SLCM options open to us -Russia's Kalibr (in-service) and the French MdCN (Scalp derivative). Israel has the Popeye Turbo but it's strategic.
Navy is involved?!? Interesting.
Please don't tell me this is for the RBU-6000s. Weren't those upgraded recently by the DRDO? IN will never get rid of them.
Please don't tell me this is for the RBU-6000s. Weren't those upgraded recently by the DRDO? IN will never get rid of them.
Different calibres. RBUs are 212mm while this one is 150mm, my guess is for decoys.
the IN shouldnt, with the current world moving towards underwater UAVs they could very well need the RBU and would be better equipped to handle it than quite literally every navy apart from US and china.