Nuclear Arms Race Heats Up As India Tests Submarine Missile

India is set to test a 500-kilometer range Submarine Launched Cruise Missile from its east coast. The SLCM, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), will likely be fitted on indigenously manufactured conventional submarines (SSK) planned by the Indian Navy under Project 75 India.

SLCMs would give India a sea-based delivery system for tactical nuclear weapons, although India’s nuclear posture focuses on strategic-level second-strike capability rather than tactical battlefield use.

Project 75 India, also known as the Kalvari-class SSK, is a French-designed Scorpene SSK of which India has five and plans to have nine in service.

India’s new SLCM has two variants: the Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) and the Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM). Both feature technologies like thrust vector control, in-flight wing deployment and in-flight engine start.

The SLCM is also expected to be sold to friendly countries after being thoroughly tested and inducted into the Indian military.

Its capabilities are similar to the Nirbhay ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM), which has a 450-kilogram payload and an 800-1,000 kilometer range, according to Missile Threat.