New Delhi Expected to Procure Kalibr Cruise Missiles from Moscow

For many years, Russian platforms have been integral to the Indian Navy’s operations. Currently, India is seeking collaboration with Germany to develop its future submarine fleet. Nevertheless, it has recently signed a contract with Moscow to procure sub-launched anti-ship cruise missiles for its existing Russian-origin submarines.

In 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two visits to Russia after a five-year break. Russian President Vladimir Putin is anticipated to visit India in 2025.

Following the selection of German TKMS’s proposal to construct six submarines in India, the Indian Ministry of Defense announced a contract with Russia for the acquisition of anti-ship cruise missiles.

The Indian Navy’s fleet of Russian submarines has included vessels such as INS Sindhughosh, INS Sindhudhvaj, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhuvir, INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhukesari, INS Sindhukirti, INS Sindhuvijay, INS Sindhurakshak, and INS Sindhushastra. Currently, INS Sindhudhvaj, INS Sindhurakshak, and INS Sindhuvir are out of service, with two additional submarines expected to retire within the next two to three years.

“The Ministry of Defence has today signed a contract with Russia for the procurement of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, witnessed by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. These missiles will greatly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet,” stated the Indian Ministry of Defense on X.

Both parties have chosen not to disclose the family of missiles or the quantity to be acquired. These missiles are intended for deployment on the Russian Kilo-class (Sindhughosh-class) diesel-electric submarines operated by the Indian Navy.

An examination of the Russian missile system suggests that it is likely the export version of the Kalibr missiles.

The 3M-54 Klub-S variant is designed to target both maritime and terrestrial objectives. It can reach supersonic speeds during its terminal phase, complicating interception efforts by enemy defense systems.

This missile operates at a low altitude of 10-15 meters, which minimizes the response time for adversary defenses. Its modular architecture allows for shared components with other variants within the Kalibr series.

It can be launched from various submarines, including Kilo-class, Lada-class, Akula-class, Yasen-class, and Borei-class. Additionally, it is utilized on surface vessels such as the Admiral Gorshkov-class, Admiral Grigorovich-class, Gepard-class, Gremyashchy-class, and Buyan-M-class ships.

The 3M-54 Klub-S missile significantly boosts the operational effectiveness of submarines by equipping them with a long-range, precise strike capability against both naval and land targets. Its sophisticated guidance system and supersonic capabilities render it a powerful asset in contemporary naval combat.

The Indian Air Force operates a diverse fleet that includes over 60 MiG-29s, 50 MiG-21s, and 260 Su-30s, fulfilling various combat roles. Additionally, it has six Il-78 aerial refueling tankers, 17 Il-76 heavy transport aircraft, more than 100 An-32 medium transport planes, over a dozen variants of Mi-24 attack helicopters, and upwards of 200 Mi-17 transport helicopters.

In the months following the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Indian government took steps to cancel or suspend several agreements with Russia regarding the procurement of new or upgraded military equipment. On April 16, 2022, the Indian Air Force officially canceled its order for 48 Mi-17 V5 helicopters from Russia, marking the first significant cancellation.

This decision was publicly framed as part of the effort to promote the ‘Make in India’ initiative and to enhance self-reliance in the defense sector. Subsequently, on April 18, 2022, the Indian Ministry of Defence convened a four-day conference to assess the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on India’s weapons and equipment supply chain.

Following this conference, additional agreements were also scrapped. On May 8, the Indian Air Force announced the cancellation of plans to upgrade its fleet of 80 Russian Su-30MKI fighters, citing logistical challenges stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On May 17, the Indian government revealed that it was halting negotiations for the acquisition of 10 Russian Ka-31 airborne early warning and control helicopters for the Navy. The Indian Navy, which currently operates 14 Ka-31s, was looking to expand its fleet, but sanctions against Russia led New Delhi to question Russia’s capacity to fulfill such orders.

Moreover, both the Indian Army and Air Force are in need of replacements for the aging Chetak and Cheetah light combat and utility helicopters that are deployed in high-altitude areas.

In addition to the limited number of indigenous light utility helicopters supplied by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Indian armed forces, India planned to procure 200 Russian Ka-226T helicopters to enhance the HAL fleet. However, negotiations were halted in July 2022 due to challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Previously, on August 15, 2022, the Rubin Design Bureau, a Russian submarine design and manufacturing firm, retracted its proposal to construct six submarines for the Indian Navy, citing the impracticality of the project.

The deputy director of the bureau indicated that the financial implications, the requirements for local production, technology transfer, and the penalties for failing to meet deadlines were deemed excessive.

While the withdrawal from this initiative was not directly linked to the Ukraine conflict, it highlighted the ongoing difficulties between Russia and India in reaching consensus on defense agreements since the onset of the war.