What is LRLACM missile? What is its full name? What is the range of DRDO’s new LRLACM missile? When was the first successful test of the LRLACM missile? Where was the LRLACM missile tested? Is LRLACM missile an advanced version of ‘Nirbhay’ missile?
Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile: After the challenges faced in the testing of cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) got a big success on June 15. The organization conducted the first successful test of India’s new Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. The official name of this missile has not been decided yet, but it is being seen as the Indian version of the American Tomahawk subsonic cruise missile. During the test, the missile successfully and accurately hit a target located 1000 km away.
What are the special features of LRLACM missile?
According to defense officials, this new cruise missile is an upgraded version of the failed ‘Nirbhay’ project. However, many important technical improvements have been made in it. The range of the new missile is greater than before and its guidance system has also been improved. Apart from this, it can be launched from different types of platforms, which further increases its operational capability. It is believed that before being inducted into the Indian Army, two more development trials and two user trials will be conducted in the next two years.
Capable of hitting a distance of more than 1000 kilometers
Although the detailed technical information of this missile was not shared in the official press release of DRDO, but according to the available information, this subsonic cruise missile flies at a speed of about 0.8 Mach. This missile is capable of hitting targets located at a distance of more than 1000 kilometers while flying very close to the ground. Its specialty is that due to flying at low altitude, it is very difficult for the enemy radar system to detect it.
Ability to dodge enemy radar
The new LRLACM missile has been designed in such a way that it can reach the target with a low-flying profile. This is the reason why it becomes challenging for the enemy air defense and radar systems to track it. It is being told that this missile has the capacity to carry a warhead weighing about 500 kg, which can cause huge damage to the target.
India’s new strength compared to Pakistan and China
India’s neighboring countries already have long-range cruise missiles. Pakistan has had the Babur cruise missile with a range of about 900 km since 2010, which is named after the Mughal ruler Babur. At the same time, China has many types of conventional and nuclear capable cruise missiles available, which are an important part of its military strength.
Why is the importance of cruise missiles increasing in modern warfare?
In the present times, war strategies are changing rapidly. Modern armies are now paying more attention to stand-off weapons, i.e. missiles and weapons that can attack targets from a safe distance. In such an environment, it is considered extremely important for India to strengthen its conventional missile capability. Long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and modern rocket systems will play an important role in future wars.
New missile will increase the strength of Indian Army
Experts believe that the new Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile will further strengthen the firepower of the Indian Army. In future this missile can become a part of the army’s rocket regiment. Through this, the Indian Army will be able to effectively respond to the missile capability of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and other potential threats even in difficult circumstances.