A salvo of 12 unguided Smerch 9M55K rockets from a single launcher costs around INR 28 crore. Warhead is 126 kg in each rocket, total 1512 kg in one salvo. Other variants have 75 to 150 kg warhead per rocket. Range 20-70 km, CEP 150 m. Completely dependent upon Russians.
A salvo of 6 Prahaar SRBMs from a single launcher costs 24-30 crores. It can deliver 1200 kg warhead (200×6) to 150 km with a CEP of <10 m.
Setting aside issues of OOB, TOE, target profiles and command structures, and acknowledging that MBRLs and Prahaar-type SRBMs are not an apples-to-apples comparison, indigenous SRBMs do seem to be highly cost-effective systems against a wide variety of targets with much higher precision in some scenarios.
Additionally, import lobby usually suppresses news about issues with imported systems. So persistent problems with imported Smerch, which delayed full operational capability for 4+ years after induction never got much attention.
Some defects were attributed to hot weather, but it seems odd to assume that MoD and Army inducted such an expensive system without basic trials under Indian conditions. Local manufacturing by OFB also faced numerous issues. Some could be due to usual OFB incompetency, but Russians are not a cooperative party either.
Induction of the Israeli PULS system under screwdrivergiri name of Suryastra must be considered in the same light. No official numbers are available, but approximate cost of single 150 km guided rocket with 120 kg warhead should be around 4 crores.
If multi-caliber rocket pods are an issue, then indigenous Pinaka provides the same capabilities.
Puls like Smerch is completely dependent upon a foreign party, Israelis in this case and by proxy, Americans. If they stop or restrict supply of any component, not a single system or rocket can be manufactured here.
It’s a highly expensive system being inducted in minuscule numbers, with plans for repeat orders once the pretext of an existing logistical footprint is established through 1-2 controversial trials. This platform directly competes with Indian systems currently on offer or under development, meaning no one involved in its induction can be trusted.
LINK: Quoted CAG report about Smerch
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