NEWS – Recently, India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were delivered to the Philippines

ORIGIN OF BRAHMOS 

• Genesis of India’s Missile Development Programme
  • In the early 1980s, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam initiated the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
  • The programme aimed at developing indigenous missiles with diverse capabilities and ranges, including Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, and Nag.
• Need for Cruise Missiles
  • In the early 1990s, India recognized the strategic importance of cruise missiles post the 1991 Gulf War.
  • Cruise missiles offer constant speed, precision, and long-range delivery of large warheads.
• Collaboration with Russia
  • In 1998, an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed with Russia in Moscow by Dr Kalam and N V Mikhailov, leading to the formation of BrahMos Aerospace.
  • BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyenia, was named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia.
• Ownership Structure and Funding
  • BrahMos Aerospace was established with the Indian side holding 50.5% and the Russians holding 49.5%.
  • Both governments provided funding to kickstart missile development activities.
• Commencement of Development
  • Development work on missiles began in DRDO and NPOM labs in 1999 after receiving financial support.
  • The first successful test of the BrahMos missile from a land-based launcher took place in 2001, marking a significant milestone in missile technology.

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF BRAHMOS MISSILE

• Dual-Stage Propulsion System
  • BrahMos is a two-stage missile featuring a solid propellant booster engine and a liquid ramjet in the second stage.
  • The solid propellant booster accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds, after which it separates, and the liquid ramjet takes over, propelling the missile at nearly three times the speed of sound during its cruise phase.
• Stealth and Versatility
  • The missile boasts a low radar signature, enhancing its stealth capabilities and making it harder for enemy defenses to detect.
  • It can execute various trajectories, offering tactical flexibility and adaptability in different combat scenarios.
• Fire and Forget Capability
  • BrahMos is a “fire and forget” type missile, meaning once launched, it can autonomously navigate towards its target without continuous guidance from the operator.
  • This feature enhances its effectiveness in engaging multiple targets or evading countermeasures.
• Cruise Missile Advantages
  • BrahMos falls into the category of standoff range weapons, allowing it to be launched from a distance that minimizes the risk of counter-fire from enemy defenses.
  • Cruise missiles like BrahMos are integral components of major military arsenals globally due to their precision, range, and operational flexibility.
• Enhanced Performance Metrics
  • Compared to subsonic cruise missiles, BrahMos offers significant advantages, including three times the speed, 2.5 times the flight range, and improved target engagement capabilities.
  • These enhanced performance metrics elevate BrahMos as a formidable weapon system for modern warfare scenarios.
• Defence Diplomacy and Export Potential
  • BrahMos’ availability for export underscores its role not only as a strategic asset for national defense but also as a tool for defense diplomacy.
  • Its capabilities make it an attractive option for countries seeking advanced missile systems, further enhancing India’s defense ties and partnerships.
• Technological Advancements
  • Recent tests of extended range variants of BrahMos, including air-launched and sea-to-sea variants, showcase ongoing technological advancements and operational diversification.
  • These developments expand BrahMos’ utility across different platforms and mission profiles, strengthening India’s defense capabilities.

PRESENT AND FUTURE ADVANCEMENTS OF THE BRAHMOS MISSILE SYSTEM

Present Capabilities:

• Extreme Accuracy and Versatility: DRDO scientists highlight BrahMos’ unparalleled accuracy and versatility, making it a formidable weapon system.
• Deployment Triad: Land-based BrahMos formations along India’s borders, BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30 aircraft in Northern and Southern theaters, and BrahMos-capable ships and submarines form a robust defense triad.

Future Upgrades and Developments:

• Evolution for Multi-Dimensional Warfare: With evolving warfare requirements, BrahMos is undergoing upgrades to enhance its range, maneuverability, and accuracy.
• Increased Range: Upcoming versions are being tested with ranges up to 350 km, a significant improvement from the original’s 290 km, with plans for even higher ranges reaching up to 800 km.
• Hypersonic Speed: Future variants are expected to achieve hypersonic speeds, enhancing their operational capabilities and response time.
• Size and Signature Reduction: Efforts are underway to reduce the size and signature of existing versions, enhancing stealth capabilities and reducing vulnerability to detection.

DEPLOYMENT AND CAPABILITIES OF BRAHMOS MISSILE ACROSS INDIAN ARMED FORCES

• Land-Based Systems:
  • BrahMos land-based complexes feature mobile autonomous launchers with multiple missiles capable of simultaneous firing.
  • Deployed along India’s land borders, these systems offer rapid response capabilities in various theatres.
  • Upgraded versions with cruising speeds of 2.8 Mach and ranges up to 400 km enhance precision targeting.
  • Advanced variants with higher ranges and speeds reaching up to 5 Mach are in development.
• Ship-Based Systems:
  • BrahMos-equipped warships inducted by the Navy since 2005 possess the capability to engage sea-based targets beyond radar horizon.
  • Successful in sea-to-sea and sea-to-land modes, BrahMos missiles can be launched singly or in salvo attacks, targeting groups of frigates with modern defense systems.
• Air-Launched Systems:
  • BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30 aircraft underwent successful flight tests from November 2017 against sea-based targets in the Bay of Bengal.
  • These aircraft, with a range of 1,500 km without mid-air refueling, are crucial for strategic deterrence along land borders and in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • Integration efforts with 40 Sukhoi-30 fighter jets across various bases further enhance operational capabilities.
• Submarine-Launched Systems:
  • Submarine-launched BrahMos versions can be launched from depths of around 50 m below the water surface.
  • Using canister-stored missiles, this variant provides stealthy launch capabilities from submarines, with successful tests conducted from submerged platforms

CONCLUSION

Overall, BrahMos’ deployment across all three Armed forces showcases its versatility, precision, and strategic significance in various operational scenarios, from land borders to maritime defense and aerial deterrence. Ongoing advancements and integration efforts continue to strengthen India’s defense capabilities with the BrahMos missile system.