Indian Navy has reportedly proposed to acquire over 20 Klub anti-ship cruise missiles from Russia and Harpoon anti-ship missile system from United States (US). A proposal worth over Rs 1,400 crore ($200 Million) is under consideration by the Indian Government and is expected to be cleared soon for acquisition.
The Klub missile acquisition is expected to cost $120 Million, while the Harpoon missile system acquisition is expected to cost around $80 Million to the Indian Navy under a foreign military sales (FMS) route.
The US Congress has already approved the sale of the Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India.
Earlier in 2022, India had requested to buy one Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) which includes one Harpoon Intermediate Level maintenance station; spare and repair parts, support, and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training; US Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
About Klub Missiles: Developed by Russian defense company NPO Novator, the Klub, also known as Kalibr, is a cruise missile inducted into Moscow’s defense forces in 1994. The missile can be launched from a ship, submarine, and aircraft and has three different versions for anti-submarine, anti-ship, and on-surface operations. Also, it has both supersonic and subsonic variants.
Notably, the Klub missile from Russia is equipped on both the surface warships and submarines of the Indian Navy.
About Harpoon Missile: It is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system. It has a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory with active radar guidance, according to Boeing, its manufacturer.The Indian Navy has already deployed the Harpoon missiles on its anti-submarine warfare aircraft and submarines.
