In the wake of India’s retaliatory precision strikes on multiple Pakistani military installations, the spotlight is once again on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile—a cornerstone of India’s strategic and tactical military capabilities.
The BrahMos missilejointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s Cylesis one of the fastest cruise missiles in the worldcapable of speeds up to Mach 3. It is a two-stage missilewith a solid propellant booster for the initial stage and a liquid ramjet engine for sustained supersonic cruise.
Key Features of the BrahMos Missile:
- Speed: Up to Mach 3 (supersonic)
- Range: Up to 400 km (with newer variants extending further)
- Warhead: 200–300 kg conventional payload
- Accuracy: Strike accuracy of 99.99%
- Flight Profile: Sea-skimming trajectory and fire-and-forget capability
Its stealth features, pinpoint accuracyand low radar visibility make it a formidable weapon capable of neutralising fortified military targets with minimal collateral damage.
Launch Platforms:
BrahMos is universal in design—capable of being launched from:
- Land (mobile launchers)
- Air (Su-30 Mki Aircraft)
- Sea (warships)
- Submarine (vertical launch from underwater)
Variants in the BrahMos Series:
Brahmos-ng (Next Gen)
- Smaller, lighterand harder to detect.
- Can be deployed on fighter jets, submarines, and torpedo tubes.
- Range: 290 km | Speed: Mach 3.5
BrahMos-II (Hypersonic Variant)
- Under development.
- Expected speed: Mach 7
- Range: 450–600 km
- Will counter high-end air defences with extreme speed and manoeuvrability.
BrahMos in All Three Armed Forces:
- Army: Land-attack versions along borders
- Air Force: Modified Su-30 MKIs carry BrahMos missiles for deep strike capability
- Navy: Warships and submarines fitted with BrahMos for anti-ship and land attack
Why BrahMos is Critical for India:
- Deterrence: Sends a strong signal to adversaries about India’s retaliatory capacity.
- Indigenous Capability: Reflects India’s push for self-reliance in defence.
- Export Power: India signed a $375 million BrahMos export deal with the Philippines and is in talks with over 12 other countries.
Conclusion:
As modern warfare evolves into multi-domain operations, the BrahMos missile offers versatility, speed, precision, and stealth—factors that are crucial in ensuring India’s defence preparedness in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Disclaimer: The information above is compiled from open sources and for informational purposes only.
