BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile
Recently, the Defense Ministry has signed a contract worth Rs 1700 crore with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd to purchase additional dual-role BrahMos missiles for the Indian Navy.
The dual role capability implies the use of BrahMos missiles for land as well as anti-ship attacks. It can be launched from land, air and sea and all three variants are in service under the Indian Armed Forces.
Significance of the Agreement:
- The induction of these dual-role advanced missiles into the Indian Navy will result in a significant increase in the firepower and operational activities of the fleet.
- Such an important communication weapon system will give a boost to indigenous production.
- The BrahMos missiles are also expected to augment ammunition with the active participation of indigenous industry.
BrahMos Missile:
- India-Russia joint venture, BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km. It is the world’s fastest cruise missile with a top speed of Mach 2.8 (about three times the speed of sound).
- It is named after the Brahmaputra River of India and the Moskva River of Russia.
- It is a two-stage (solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in the second) missile.
- It is a multiplatform missile that can be launched with precision from a missile of land, air and sea, which can operate during the day and night in spite of bad weather.
- It works on the principle of “Fire and Forget/Fire and Forget”, which means it does not require guidance after launch.
Source- The Hindu
