Russia has supplied India with advanced missiles to enhance its maritime dominance

Recent reports indicate that Russia is supplying its advanced 3M54TE Kalibr/Club anti-ship missiles to India, representing a notable upgrade to the Indian Navy’s capabilities. This transaction occurs in the context of ongoing international sanctions against Russia, underscoring India’s strategic intent to enhance its military strength through Russian technology.

India has a longstanding partnership with Russia in defense, particularly in naval systems. The agreement for the Kalibr-PL anti-ship cruise missiles was finalized in the presence of India’s Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence via the social media platform X. This initiative is perceived as a strategic measure to balance naval power in the region, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions with neighboring nations.

The Kalibr missile system, which has been widely deployed by Russia in various military engagements, including operations in Ukraine, is recognized for its adaptability and effectiveness. It can be launched from submarines, surface vessels, and land-based platforms, making it a potent asset in naval combat. The missiles operate at a low altitude of 10-15 meters, significantly minimizing the response time for enemy defenses and enhancing their precision strike capabilities.

This acquisition is particularly focused on bolstering the operational effectiveness of India’s Kilo-class submarines, which have Soviet origins. The modular nature of the Kalibr system allows for various configurations and shares common components with other variants in the Kalibr series, potentially simplifying logistics and maintenance for the Indian Navy.

This agreement prompts a reevaluation of the effectiveness of international sanctions imposed on Russia. Despite these restrictions, nations such as India continue to recognize the value of Russian military technology, indicating a complex landscape of international relations where defense requirements often take precedence over political considerations. This situation highlights the evolving global alliances and the strategic independence that India is asserting in its defense acquisitions.

For India, this transaction is part of a larger initiative to upgrade its naval capabilities, which includes collaborations with various countries on new submarine projects. Just prior to this announcement, India selected Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to construct six submarines, demonstrating a multifaceted strategy to strengthen its naval forces.

The acquisition of Kalibr missiles by India transcends mere military enhancement; it illustrates the intricate interplay of international diplomacy, where historical ties, strategic priorities, and technological advancements are crucial factors.

As these events unfold, the consequences for regional security and the power dynamics in the Indian Ocean could be significant, potentially leading other countries to reevaluate their naval strategies and partnerships.

The 3M-54 Kalibr/Klub missile, designated by NATO as SS-N-27 “Sizzler,” is a multifaceted family of Russian cruise missiles developed by the Novator Design Bureau [OKB-8]. This missile system was introduced into service in 1994 and has since been adapted to serve various roles, including anti-ship, land attack, and anti-submarine missions. The Kalibr missile family encompasses both domestic and export variants, with the latter known as Klub.

Engineered as a modular system, the missile allows for various configurations tailored to specific operational needs. The fundamental design principle emphasizes the use of common components across both ship-launched and submarine-launched variants, although each type features distinct elements, such as launch platform-specific boosters.

The Kalibr system comprises anti-ship and land attack missiles capable of executing a supersonic sprint during the terminal phase of flight, which significantly shortens the response time for defense systems.

In the anti-ship category, the 3M-54 serves as a domestic variant for the Russian Navy. This submarine-launched missile measures 8.22 meters in length and carries a 200 kg warhead. Its operational range is estimated to be between 440 and 660 kilometers, functioning as a sea-skimmer with a terminal speed of Mach 2.9 and a final flight altitude of 4.6 meters. The 3M-54T, another variant intended for surface vessels, employs a Vertical Launch System [VLS] and features a thrust vectoring booster, while maintaining performance characteristics similar to those of the 3M-54.

The export variant referred to as Club encompasses both the Club-S (submarine-launched) and Club-N (surface ship-launched) systems. The Club-S model features the 3M-54E, which boasts a range of 220 kilometers, and the 3M-54E1, which increases the range to 300 kilometers while maintaining subsonic speeds throughout its trajectory.

Both variants are equipped with a 200 kg warhead. The Club-N model includes the 3M-54TE, which also has a range of 220 kilometers, and the 3M-54TE1, extending to 300 kilometers, both of which utilize thrust vectoring technology to enhance launch versatility.

For land strike missions, the 3M-14 missile employs inertial guidance and can be launched from either submarines or surface vessels. Its range is reported to vary widely, with some sources indicating it can reach up to 2,500 kilometers for conventionally armed versions, while others propose different ranges for variants that may carry thermonuclear warheads.

The 91RE1 variant provides anti-submarine capabilities, featuring a two-stage missile design with a solid rocket booster and a lightweight anti-submarine torpedo as its payload. It has a range of 50 kilometers and can achieve supersonic speeds, following a ballistic trajectory before releasing its torpedo.

Kalibr missiles have been deployed in various operational scenarios, particularly during the Syrian Civil War, where Russian naval vessels and submarines launched them from the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas targeting locations in Syria. These operations showcased the missile’s long-range strike capabilities, with some projectiles reportedly traveling over 1,500 kilometers to reach their targets.

The system’s adaptability is significantly improved by its capability to be launched from various platforms, including Kilo, Lada, Akula, Yasen, and Borei class submarines, as well as surface vessels such as the Admiral Gorshkov, Admiral Grigorovich, Gepard, Gremyashchy, and Buyan-M classes. This extensive range of platforms highlights the strategic edge that Russia possesses with this missile family, facilitating versatile deployment and application in diverse naval combat situations.

In conclusion, the 3M-54 Kalibr/Klub missile system, known by its SS-N-27 “Sizzler” designation, represents a highly advanced and flexible weapon system that is essential to contemporary Russian naval strategy. It provides capabilities in anti-ship, land attack, and anti-submarine operations, with both domestic and export variants that enhance the operational scope and effectiveness of the Russian Navy and its partners.