BRAHMOS MISSILE: DEVELOPMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were delivered to the Philippines, as part of a $375 million deal signed by the two countries in 2022.

EXPLANATION:

• The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile project traces its roots to the early 1990s when India recognized the strategic need for cruise missiles after witnessing their effectiveness during the 1991 Gulf War.
• This led to the signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Russia in 1998, resulting in the formation of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia.
• Named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia, BrahMos Aerospace was established with the aim of developing a versatile and highly capable supersonic cruise missile system.
• The joint venture marked a significant collaboration between Indian and Russian defense establishments, with India holding a majority stake of 50.5% and Russia holding 49.5%.
• Development work on the BrahMos missile commenced in 1999, with funding from both governments.
• The missile underwent rigorous testing and achieved its first successful test flight in 2001.
• BrahMos is a two-stage missile equipped with a solid propellant booster engine and a liquid ramjet engine, enabling it to achieve supersonic speeds and precise targeting capabilities.

Significance of BrahMos

• The BrahMos missile holds immense strategic significance for India due to its advanced capabilities and versatility.
• It is designed to be highly maneuverable, with a low radar signature, making it difficult to detect and intercept.
• With a cruising altitude of up to 15 kilometers and the ability to strike targets at sea-skimming altitudes as low as 10 meters, BrahMos offers a potent deterrent against both land and naval threats.
• BrahMos is a “fire and forget” type missile capable of striking targets with precision from stand-off ranges.
• Its ability to deliver large warheads over long distances with high accuracy makes it a valuable asset for various operational scenarios, including anti-ship warfare, land attack missions, and coastal defense.
• The missile’s adaptability across different platforms, including land-based launchers, naval vessels, aircraft, and submarines, enhances India’s operational flexibility and deterrence posture.
• The successful development and deployment of BrahMos have positioned India as a significant player in the global arms market.
• With the BrahMos missile system being made available for export, it serves as a potent tool for defense diplomacy and strategic partnerships.
• The recent delivery of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines underscores India’s growing stature as an arms exporter and strengthens bilateral defense ties with partner countries.

Future Enhancements and Upgrades

• Continued research and development efforts are underway to enhance the capabilities of the BrahMos missile system further.
• This includes the development of extended-range variants with ranges of up to 800 kilometers and hypersonic speed capabilities.
• Upgrades aimed at improving maneuverability, reducing signature, and enhancing accuracy are also in progress.
• The BrahMos missile system is evolving to meet the evolving requirements of modern warfare, ensuring India’s strategic edge in the region.

Deployment Across Platforms

• Land-Based Systems
  • The land-based BrahMos missile complex comprises mobile autonomous launchers equipped with multiple missiles.
  • These systems are strategically deployed along India’s land borders, enhancing the country’s defense capabilities and deterrence posture.
• Ship-Based Systems
  • The Indian Navy has integrated BrahMos missiles onto its frontline warships, enabling them to engage sea-based targets beyond the radar horizon.
  • These ship-based systems provide the Navy with a potent anti-ship and land-attack capability, enhancing maritime security and power projection capabilities.
• Air-Launched Systems
  • BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft serve as a critical component of India’s air defense strategy.
  • The successful integration of BrahMos missiles onto Su-30MKI fighters significantly enhances the aircraft’s offensive capabilities, allowing for precision strikes against both land and naval targets.
• Submarine-Launched Systems
  • The submarine-launched variant of the BrahMos missile system enables submerged platforms to engage surface and land-based targets with precision.
  • Submarines equipped with BrahMos missiles significantly enhance India’s maritime deterrence capabilities, providing a potent second-strike capability in the event of a conflict.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/brahmos-missiles-philippines-development-9280055/