THE GAME-changing scenario of world missile systems in the global context have assumed vital importance in the present era. Versatile weapons like BrahMos, a hallmark for ‘Make In India’, play a significant role in modern-day conflicts and wars as it supersedes the most popular cruise missiles in the world by three times in terms of velocity, flight range and nine times the kill energy range. BrahMos is unique with its higher weapon effectiveness, reliability, multi-platform, multi-mission and multi target capability.
BrahMos missile, the product of an exemplary Joint Venture, between India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s JSC MIC NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM),is the most potent weapon system and a force multiplier in network centric warfare.
BrahMos has set precedence by successfully establishing a robust Missile Industrial Complex in both India and Russia. The public and private sector Indian defence firms have been actively involved in designing, developing and producing various components of the missile. 100 per cent of integration of the missile systems are accomplished in India and more than 65 per cent of component production are realised in India,around 20,000 Specialists, Engineers & Technicians in more than 200 large and medium industries are participating in realising different systems and sub-systems.The supersonic cruise missile has become a benchmark of public-private partnership in Indian defence sector.
BrahMos Supersonic cruise missile is a precision strike weapon for Army, Navy & Air Force. This universal missile can be fitted in ships, Mobile Launchers, Submarines and Aircraft against land and sea-based targets.The Indian Army has benefitted immensely from the induction of BrahMos weapon system. The missile has been successfully tested for firing in steep dive mode which would enable it to be deployed in mountainous regions. The deep penetration capability of the missile system against hardened targets has also been validated. The missile system is inducted in all frontline ships of the Indian Navy and deployment in other future surface warships are under production.
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile created history on 22nd Nov 2017 when, for the first time in the world, it was successfully flight-tested from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal. BrahMos-A, the air-launched version is lighter than its previous two variants but would be equally strong in firepower and devastating capability as its range and maximum speed of above 300 kms and 2.8 Mach respectively will remain unchanged.
The record-breaking feats of BrahMos continues to add feathers of glory, with the most recent successful test-firing of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with an indigenous seeker at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, on 22 March 2018. This launch has boosted India’s defence indigenisation efforts which significantly highlights the vital contributions of BrahMos missile to the Govt. of India’s ambitious “Make In India” initiative.
The emergence of BrahMos has not only strengthened India’s technological base but also elevated its image in the global arena. As a high technology defence product, BrahMos has great potential of becoming India’s major weapon export in the coming decades giving the country a share of the global arms business.
In terms of futuristic developments, the hypersonic BrahMos is being envisioned to travel at a speed of Mach 5 to 7 (5 to 7 times the speed of sound). Both governments are also keen to develop next-generation BrahMos, being termed as BrahMos-NG.
The contribution of BrahMos to India’s arsenal is noteworthy in a quest to maximise its firepower potential and strengthening the armed forces. With the changing technological trends in the evolving world security scenario, BrahMos definitely promises to play a key role in redefining the future of modern warfare.
