India Navy's Rajput class destroyer successfully fires Brahmos missile.

According to information published by India TV News on November 2, 2023, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired a BrahMos missile from one of its Rajput class destroyers in the Bay of Bengal.
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Rajput class destroyer firing BrahMos missile. (Picture source: Indian Navy)

The exercise, conducted under the Eastern command of the Indian Navy, was a part of its operational preparedness, particularly focusing on blue water operations and countering potential threats from the Chinese PLA Navy.

About the destroyers

The Rajput-class guided-missile destroyers, serving the Indian Navy, are modified versions of the Soviet Kashin-class destroyers, also known as Kashin-II class. Built in the former Soviet Union with significant Indian design modifications, these ships underwent changes including the replacement of the helicopter pad in the original design with a flight elevator, along with major alterations to the electronics and combat systems. Five units were constructed for export to India in the 1980s and are currently attached to the Eastern Naval Command.

Inheriting their anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare roles from the Kashin class, the Rajput class has been integral in aircraft carrier task-force defense against submarines, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles.

They were the first in the Indian Navy to deploy the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems during a mid-life refit. The missile system, with four missiles in inclined bow-mounted launchers, replaced two SS-N-2D Styx AShM launchers in INS Rajput, and an eight-cell VLS system replaced the aft S-125M SAM launcher in INS Ranvir and INS Ranvijay. Ranvijay was also equipped with an updated vertical launcher for the BrahMos missile.

During the TROPEX-21 exercise of the Indian Navy, the decommissioned Ranjit was sunk by a torpedo. The Rajput was decommissioned from service on May 21, 2021.

The Rajput-class destroyers have a standard displacement of 3,950 tons and a full load of 4,974 tons. They measure 146.5 meters in length, with a beam of 15.8 meters and a draught of 4.8 meters.

Powered by four Zorya-Mashproekt M3E gas turbines in a COGAG arrangement, they can reach speeds of up to 35 knots. Their range extends to 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots and 2,600 nautical miles at 30 knots. The complement includes 320 personnel, including 35 officers.