China's New ATGM for LAC, Tsirkon Mass Production, New Age Combat Drones, Indian Navy’s Declining Submarine Fleet Problem

China's New ATGM for LAC, Tsirkon Mass Production, New Age Combat

Designed For ‘Top Down Strikes’, China Says Its New Age ATGMs Can Inflict Maximum Damage In High Altitude Conflicts

ATGMs are considered a cost-effective way of engaging the vast and more advanced armoured units it might face in a potential war. It seems that China is now trying to show its strength in anti-tank missile technology.

The PLA has reportedly deployed a new sort of vehicle mounted ATGMs capable of targeting enemy tanks “from above”, meaning at higher heights, causing more harm than a top-down attack.

The new missile is more powerful than its predecessors due to its greater caliber, and it is very mobile when mounted on an off-road assault vehicle that can run across difficult terrain.

The top-down attack is meant to take advantage of the exposed soldiers on the top of a tank. The new missile is compatible with China’s Mengshi off-road assault vehicle and infantry fighting vehicles.

The idea of a higher altitude top-down strike is intriguing since it may be particularly useful in the Tibetan plateau in western China and other areas where air support is lacking. Needless to mention, China is embroiled in a border standoff with India in the eastern Ladakh bordering Tibet.

Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile: Russia Begins Mass Production Of ‘World’s Fastest’ Missile That Putin Famously Called ‘Invincible’

Serial manufacture of Tsirkon missiles is underway at NPO Mashinostroyenia. Flight development testing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile would continue in 2024 from the Project 885M (Yasen M) modified nuclear powered submarine Perm.

The Russian nuclear powered submarine Severodvinsk fired Tsirkon hypersonic missiles for the first time from its surface and submerged positions in the White Sea in October this year.

The modified submarine Perm which is the fifth nuclear powered submarine in the Project 885M, will be the first regular underwater carrier of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles. The submarine is scheduled to join the Russian Navy in 2025.

The Tsirkon multi-purpose hypersonic missile which is designated to strike sea and ground targets is capable of flying at Mach 9 or nine times the speed of sound, at a range of over 1000 km.

The missile uses improved fuel with a range of up to 1,000 km. And it moves so quickly that the air pressure in front of the weapon generates a plasma cloud, which absorbs radio frequencies and renders it virtually invisible to active radar systems.

Next Generation Warfare: 4 Reasons Why Combat Drones Are Becoming The Fastest Growing Weaponry In Modern Military’s Arsenal

The importance of armed drones nowadays is such that almost all the major countries are acquiring more and more armed drone systems. A side effect of this proliferation is an increase in their exports.

Military drones are becoming increasingly indispensable for the armed forces all over the world, there are essentially four reasons behind this trend.

One, they are less costly but pretty effective as operational intelligence platforms for proper data flow and they provide real time surveillance to detect ballistic missile threats.

Two, they can be used in remote locations where the communication systems are poor.

Three, in heavy fighting zones, drones help in providing information to the command center to identify the targets better, improve safety, and protect infrastructures from any kind of external threats or risks.

Four, drones are proving also lethal to enemy combats as regular airplanes. This means that it is easier to neutralize enemy power using a drone with minimal human casualties.

However, the biggest criticism against military drones is that they often cause collateral damages to civilian lives and property.

Indian Navy stares at waning Submarine fleet

Indian Navy has a fleet of 20 diesel electric attack submarines but it already retired one Kilo Class INS Sindhudhvaj submarine, lost one INS Sindhurakshak in an accident, and has transferred one INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy that effectively makes Kilo fleet at just seven. INS Sindhukesari (6^th 1989), INS Sindhuraj (3^rd 1987), INS Sindhuratna (5^th 1989), INS Sindhughosh (1^st 1986) have either completed or in process of completing its last Major Refit and Life Certification MRLC modernization program that will give them another 10 years of service which effectively also means they will be out of service by 2030-32.

Indian Navy has plans to carry out the last MRLC for three more submarines ( Sindhukirti, Sindhuvijay, and Sindhurashtra) that could mean they will be out of service for 27 months but can stay active in service for another 10 years after completion till 2034-35. That means by the time the last of the Project-75I submarines is inducted into service, All Seven Kilo Submarines will have to be retired or have already been retired.

India also operates 4 Type-209 submarines and Too INS Shishumar (1^st 1984 ) and INS Shankush (2^nd 1984 ) are undergoing MRLC that will extend their service life by 10 more years but this will be the last of its MRLC and looking at their advanced age they are likely to limit it to training crew rather than seeing active combat duties while last 2 of the submarines will remain in active duties but eventually, all four have to be retired by 2030-34.