possible future trends in indian missile development
i think future of missile development in india is joint development of missile systems with russia,israel and europe.
Israel Extends Missile Offerings within MTCR Limits
New developments in Israel's missile arsenal are normally kept highly classified, so recent reports and official announcements over successful tests of extended-range missiles caused quite a stir among the world's defense community.
Israel is launching its new family of extended-range artillery rockets at Paris. The new Long Range Artillery (LORA) family offers pinpoint attack capability (10meter CEP) at ranges between 150 km to 300 km, making it compatible or even superior to the U.S. ATACMS and Russian Iskander-E missiles.
Earlier this year LORA performed successful test flights where the missile was fired to a range of 200 km into the Mediterranean — a test which was closely followed by U.S. intelligence activities.
In total, 10 test launches are planned to gain operational approval.
LORA weighs about 1,230 kg and can be configured to carry warheads of 440 – 480 kg. The size of the warhead and missile performance are probably limited to comply with the Missile Proliferation Control Regime (MTCR) which restricting the exports of missile systems and technology capable of delivering a 500 kg payload to ranges not beyond 300 kilometers. While Israel is not a member of MTCR, it has officially committed to maintain export control consistent with the regime.
By design, LORA can attack static and relocatable targets, deriving its accuracy of delivery from GPS/INS navigation which provides mid-course corrections to compensate for atmospheric conditions which could affect the in-flight trajectory. Up to four ready-to-fire missiles will be carried by each transporter/erector launcher (TEL). The missiles can be fired within 10
seconds of vehicle stop.
IAI/MLM is developing LORA in response to Israeli and Indian requirements to extend their artillery units’ deep-strike capability. India considered both Israeli and Russian systems for a planned procurement of 36 missiles as part of its long-range artillery rocket modernization program, at an estimated to cost up to $800 million.
The Surface/Surface Missiles currently deployed by India are liquid-fuelled, placing them at a disadvantage against Pakistani solid-fuelled ‘quick response’ missiles. The Indians favored the solid-fuelled LORA, which better matched their requirements. With its extended range and precision, mobile LORA launchers could rapidly engage targets deep in the enemy area, even when they are located well behind friendly lines and protected from enemy counter-fire.
Another Israeli missile designed for extended range is the
EXTRA (Extended Range Rocket Artillery) family, based on a 300 mm diameter, four-meter-long rocket developed by IMI's Rocket Systems Division under cooperation with IAI/MLM. This weapon is scheduled for initial testing in 2006.
The 450 kg solid-fuelled rocket will be equipped with GPS and INS navigation and probably use IMI's Trajectory Correction System (TCS), currently employed with IDF MLRS systems, providing an accuracy of 10 meters CEP at all ranges. It will carry warheads — typically a 125kg high-explosive penetration charge for attack of hard targets such as command posts, or targets in built-up areas — or cargo loaded with scatter mines (such as the new IMI MIMS) or cluster munitions, including self-destruct bomblets.
EXTRA is part of a system upgrade for MLRS, HIMARS, BM-21, LAR-160 and other multiple rocket system launchers, which are required to extend their coverage in attacking targets throughout the modern corps' area of operations, which extends well beyond 150 km from the forward line of troops.
:coffee
