The BrahMos Missile and India's Defense Exports

#GS-3 #Science & Technology #Defence #Current Events #International

Why in News

Indonesia signed a $200 million agreement with BrahMos Aerospace to buy two coastal missile batteries.
This deal significantly expands India's defense export footprint in Southeast Asia.

The BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile that operates on a Fire and Forget system.
It flies at a top speed of Mach 2.8, making it the fastest operational cruise missile in the world today.
It is currently the only supersonic cruise missile available for export in the global market.

BrahMos Aerospace is a successful joint venture established in 1998 between India and Russia.
India's DRDO holds a majority stake of 50.5% in this joint venture.
Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya owns the remaining 49.5% stake in the company.
Because of this joint venture design, Moscow holds a veto and must approve all sales to third countries.
The weapon system aims to destroy heavily protected land and sea targets with high precision from long distances.
India has successfully exported or planned exports of this missile to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The missile uses a two-stage propulsion system with a solid-fuel booster and a liquid-fuel ramjet engine.
It can launch from land, warships, submarines, and Su-30MKI fighter jets, serving all three military branches.
It uses sea-skimming technology to fly as low as 5 metres above sea level, making radar detection very difficult.
It carries a 200 kg warhead at Mach 2.8, delivering massive kinetic energy to destroy strong military targets.
Export versions have a range limit of 290 km under MTCR rules, but India uses domestic versions exceeding 450 km.
It is stored and launched from a sealed Transport Launch Canister which reduces maintenance and ensures quick deployment.