Even as India is evolving as a great power, economically as well as militarily, it has gained immense expertise in designing and developing state-of-the-art defence systems. This accomplishment has made it enter into an elite club of powerful nations at the global stage having the capability to build their own military platforms and systems.
An excellent example of India’s growing military might is the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile system which, with its multi-role capability, universality and utmost lethality, has carved a distinct place for itself with Indian Armed Forces. The weapon is the only universal supersonic cruise missile system in the world with the capability of neutralizing land or sea based targets.
“Today, when speed is considered as one of the major determinants in the outcome of military conflicts, Brahmos, capable of flying at a top speed of around Mach 3, becomes extremely lethal in striking an enemy target in no time. The supersonic speed of the missile also makes it difficult for interception by the enemy’s air defence system,” said the spokesman.
“Induction of the missile in the Indian Armed Forces has rendered the armed forces an unmatched potentiality. The weapon has become mainstay of the Indian Army’s artillery firepower. Similarly, for many of the Navy’s frontline surface ships, Brahmos has been deployed as a prime strike weapon. In its sub-sea launch configuration, the supersonic cruise missile is set to increase the Navy’s underwater weapons delivery capability manifold by being armed in the future submarines.”
On 22 November 2017, a new dimension was added by Brahmos, when an Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI, after being modified to carry the 2.5 tonne missile integrated with half a tonne launcher, was test-fired against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal. With this maiden launch, Brahmos has augmented the IAF’s strike capability and completed the tactical cruise missile triad.
“The supersonic cruise missile is a unique example
of the partnership between India and Russia in critical areas of research and
development. The speed, precision and power of Brahmos have proved to the world
that a Joint Venture of advanced technology can lead to a high performance
product in shortest possible time with far-reaching capabilities.”
On 22 March
2018, Brahmos missile test-fired the weapon system fitted with an indigenously
developed Seeker at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. This feat has enthused a
fresh impetus in the ambitious ‘Make in India’ programme of the Government of
India.
The 300-km range
missile, initially conceived and developed as an anti-ship cruise missile
(ASCM) system, has evolved over the years and added many more variants, from
sea-to-land, sea-to-sea, land to- land, land-to-sea, sub-sea-to-land, subsea- to-sea
and air-to-land configurations. The missile can be fired either from static, mobile
platforms (land and sea) or fighter aircraft, in solo or salvo mode. “This
multiplicity makes the weapon all the more versatile in taking on the enemy
anywhere, anytime,” the spokesman enthused.
It is the
untiring efforts and competent leadership of the entire team of BrahMos,
including the consortium of more than 200+ Indian industries and multiple
Russian industries, R&D labs and academic institutions of both the
countries, which have made significant contribution in design, development and
production leading to the induction of Brahmos in the Indian Armed Forces. More
than 20,000 specialists, engineers and technicians in public and private
industries are currently associated in realizing various systems and
sub-systems of the weapon complex.
“The Brahmos
Joint Venture has set the brightest example for the defence industry to build
strong partnerships and work jointly towards realizing the larger goal of
producing sophisticated and highly advanced military systems. It has become a
national model for the country to become self-reliant in defence technology.”