STAR will fly in a few years. Was talking about newer applications.Can't comment on timelines or need. But if engineering designs are out along with dimensions, it means design phase is over and prototype phase has begun. I don't think it will take 5 years before we see this and its variants flying. We are pretty good with missiles. Services can acquire them when the feel like it, all acquisitions run late anyway. The missile development need not be effected by it.
But I think the Nirbhay's future variants would be given priority over this.
Long timeline. Enough time to think.All future missiles are being cannisterized, including the future variant of Akash. I agree there is no need for it in target missiles but the LFRJ will go the into multiple missiles which will need cannisterizing. We have to think about it from now and design the missile, especially the propulsion, accordingly. Else the cannisters will be an afterthought and not optimised.