The Indian Ministry of Defense recently signed a Rs 1700 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd to procure additional BrahMos missiles – prestigious, dual-role capable weapons intended for the Indian Navy. These missiles are capable of being utilised both on land and sea, with adaptable launch capabilities offering flexibility in deployment. The acquisition of these multi-functional missiles will have a wide array of implications for the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and the country’s defense sector at large.
BrahMos Missiles: An Overview
Bearing the name of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia, the BrahMos missile is an impressive product of an Indo-Russian joint venture. It boasts a range of 290 kilometers and holds the title of the fastest cruise missile globally, achieving a top speed of nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8).
This two-stage missile, moving through a solid propellant engine phase before transitioning to a liquid ramjet, is versatile and accurate. Its adaptability extends to different platforms – it can be launched from land, air, and sea. Its reliability is another major factor, operating efficiently under various weather conditions during both day and night, making it a monumental asset in any defense inventory.
Operational Principle and Role of BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos missile operates on a “Fire and Forget” principle, meaning it does not require further guidance once launched. This lessens operational stress and increases efficiency during its deployment. This missile’s primary purpose is to enhance the operational capability of military assets as it functions for land attacks and anti-ship attacks.
The Significance of Recent Deal
The procurement of these dual-role capable missiles promises to significantly boost the fighting capacity of the Indian Navy fleet. Moreover, it provides a significant fillip to the indigenous production of this critical weapon system. The addition of BrahMos missiles to the defense arsenal is also projected to stimulate domestic industry participation, contributing to local economic growth.
Recent Developments
In recent times, the Indian Navy and Andaman and Nicobar Command jointly test-fired an anti-ship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile successfully in April 2022. Earlier, in January 2022, an extended range sea-to-sea variant of this supersonic cruise missile was launched from the stealth guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam. These developments highlight the ongoing commitment to maintain and improve critical defense capabilities.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Highlight
The BrahMos missile’s significance can also be contextualised within broader defense discussions. For instance, the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2018 posed a question regarding the “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD),” an American anti-missile system designed to counter short and medium-range ballistic missiles.
The THAAD operates during the “terminal” phase of flight, as missiles descend towards their target. THAAD’s ability to intercept missiles both inside and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, coupled with its global deployability, makes it a notable component of worldwide defense systems. This indicates the crucial role that missile systems like BrahMos and THAAD play in modern defense strategies.
