Indian Navy to Strengthen Defense Capabilities with $200 Million Missile Purchase from US and Russia

The Indian Navy has announced plans to purchase missiles worth $200 million from the United States and Russia. The purchase includes Harpoon Block II missiles from the US and BrahMos land-attack missiles from Russia.

The missile purchase is part of India’s wider efforts to modernize its naval forces and strengthen its defense capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Navy has been seeking to acquire advanced technologies to counter emerging threats, including piracy, terrorism, and rival naval forces.

The Harpoon Block II missiles from the US are designed to be launched from naval ships and can hit targets up to 124 kilometers away. The missiles have been used by the US Navy and several other navies around the world. The BrahMos land-attack missiles from Russia, on the other hand, are capable of hitting targets up to 450 kilometers away and are a joint venture between India and Russia.

The acquisition of these missiles is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s combat readiness and enable it to better respond to emerging threats in the region. The missiles will be integrated into the Indian Navy’s existing fleet of ships, submarines, and aircraft, further enhancing its operational capabilities.

India has been steadily modernizing its defense forces and expanding its naval presence in the region in recent years. The country’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean region makes it a crucial player in the region’s security landscape, and the acquisition of these missiles is expected to further strengthen its position.

The purchase of these missiles also highlights the growing defense cooperation between India and the US and Russia. The US and India have been deepening their defense ties in recent years, with the US becoming a major supplier of weapons to India. Meanwhile, Russia has long been a key supplier of military equipment to India and remains an important strategic partner.

The missile purchase is expected to be a major boost to India’s defense capabilities and strengthen its position in the Indian Ocean region.