Latest news with #BrahMos'
NDTV
30-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"It's A Hittile": BrahMos Ex-Chief On Missile's Journey, Strength And Future
New Delhi: The world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, showcased "India's military might" during Operation Sindoor after it struck Pakistan's military infrastructure during the 100-hour battle, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the missile gave Pakistan "sleepless nights" during the operation. From its inception in 1998, when India and Russia signed an agreement, paving the way for the formation of BrahMos Aerospace, to the missile's first combat use in 2025, BrahMos has evolved over the last two decades. Atul D Rane, former Director General, BrahMos Aerospace, spoke to NDTV, sharing insights on BrahMos' path to indigenisation, what makes it difficult to intercept, its integration with Su-30MK, becoming a "universal missile" and the future of the missile. Path To Indigenisation "When BrahMos was conceived, we used a baseline principle that we would work on one of the Russian engines. We started with about 7 per cent of the missiles being indigenous and quickly upped it to about 15 per cent. But after that, it was a process of the Indian industries picking up production and indigenizing stuff, which was manufactured in Russia. "Slowly, over the years, the indigenous content has risen, with various components coming in, and the Indian defence industry has done a commendable job," Mr Rane said. "Today, we are sitting at close to 84 per what is flying right now is only about 74 to 75 per cent, because it takes some time before the indigenized subsystem or system gets qualified to enter a combat missile," he said. BrahMos - Not A Missile But A Hittile BrahMos is the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, meaning it can travel faster than the speed of sound. BrahMos can hit targets 400 kilometres away and travel at Mach 3 (Three times the speed of sound). Mr Rane said speed is a big factor that makes it difficult to intercept. "Speed plays the maximum factor. It's fast. It's hugely fast. We have been working on many improvements over the years. And the thing is, it's a very slip missile compared to what it does. So, the radar cross section is also fairly low. High-speed, Low Radar Cross-Section (RCS), what more do you want?" Firing of ship-launched BrahMos High speed and low RCS make BrahMos difficult to intercept by radars, along with its high manoeuvrability, especially at high speed, but Mr Rane said we have done it. "The BrahMos has evolved into a weapon which doesn't fly like an arrow. It flies like a missile, and a missile which hits the everyone talks about a miss distance or the circular error of probability of a missile. In BrahMos, over the days, as we kept working on the missile, different tests, which we've done, the user trials, which they have been doing to learn themselves and train themselves, I have started saying that BrahMos is not a missile. It's a hittile. It hits the target it's designated to hit." The term hittile is used to describe a missile or a weapon with high accuracy and reliability in hitting the target. BrahMos works on a "fire and forget principle" with a seeker, a vital part of a missile which detects, tracks a target with accuracy. BrahMos uses an Indian seeker, but the development has taken years. Mr Rane said the "Seeker has been a bugbear for us for years. But the challenge was that it needed to be done. We started 20 years ago." "Today, it's capable of flying. It's not just the seeker integration, the accuracy of the hardware, the airframe, and then coming down to the navigation system, the tweaks we have to do to the navigation system, the onboard control, all this put together creates the accuracy of the missile," he added. Integration With Su-30MKI BrahMos is a heavy cruise missile, and integrating it with the Russian Su-30MKI multi-role fighters was a challenge, from its engineering to the high cost of getting it done outside. Mr Rane said, "Anything imported or import-substituted starts with a large cost. Yes. When the management of Brahmos Aerospace, along with DRDO, decided that the cost of trying to get it done from outside would be too much, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited also came on board. People worked tirelessly. It's not just the integration of the missile into the aircraft but also the electrical and software interfaces. The Indian Air Force chipped in because they already knew about the Su-30. An even bigger challenge was that we didn't know the Su-30 inside out. We had to create wind tunnel models. We had to create the separation studies." Test firing of BrahMos from Su-30MKI He further explained that the engineers had to factor in whether BrahMos was safe to separate from the Su-30. "The mother aircraft is much more precious than the BrahMos missile. It was a very long journey. I must say, there would have been at least 200 to 300 engineers, armed forces personnel, and HAL personnel working on this project," Mr Rane said. The heaviest weapon being carried on an aircraft is the Brahmos air version on the Su-30, the former DG of BrahMos Aerospace told NDTV. Becoming A Universal Weapon BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinotroyenia (NPOM), with India holding 50.5 per cent and Russia with 49.5 per cent. The first test launch of the BrahMos took place on June 12, 2001, in Odisha's Chandipur. Mr Rane said, "BrahMos was initially conceived to be only an anti-ship cruise missile, a supersonic cruise missile. But then, once it started working, it started coming out that one shouldn't just be sitting with one fantastic product. One needs to make sure it's delivered on time, which is a mantra of BrahMos to deliver things on time. We moved quickly from an anti-ship cruise missile to a land-attack missile. Once the Indian Army got in with it, they said that we would like to see some more stuff that is launching from high altitudes, having waypoints, getting over improvement has been seamless." "Today, it's a universal missile. The missiles, which are launched from the surface, are either from the Indian naval ships or from the mobile autonomous launchers which are with the Indian Army; these two missiles can be swapped without any problem. The idea was to create a universal missile. The dream is to have a cartridge, a missile filled in a canister, and you pick up that canister and put it wherever you want, and the missile can be used. Of course, with a little tweak in software," he said. The air version of BrahMos is different from the ship and mobile-launcher variant since the Su-30MKI can't carry such a heavy missile in its underbelly. Future Of BrahMos BrahMos was at the forefront of the offensive during Operation Sindoor, and it can travel at Mach 3 speeds. A hypersonic variant (speeds exceeding Mach 5) is reportedly under development, along with an extended range of the missile from the current 400. BrahMos started with a range of 290 kilometres and has evolved into being more potent than it was many years ago. Mr Rane said, "Any incremental research takes time and also, of course, money, which is being put in. The current BrahMos, in its current size and shape, has a limitation. But it's a limitation, and it can go somewhere where no one else has should see it very soon." "We could look at a smaller and potent version of BrahMos so that we could put two missiles in the underbelly of the Su-30 instead of one, and not just Sukhoi, but other aircraft as well," he said. Mr Rane shared that the design has already started, and we have already reached the point of cutting metal. We're looking at the BrahMos next generation, a smaller missile. Equally fast. Of course, lighter. So the kinetic energy when it hits will be a little different, but good enough to destroy targets. "The Tejas Mark-II, an ungraded version of the Tejas Mark 1, will carry the BrahMos-NG, one each under the wings. So two BrahMos on each Tejas and possibly a full-scale large BrahMos under the belly of the Su-30 and two NGs under the wings of the Su-30," Mr Rane said. India has also delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. Several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, and Middle Eastern nations have also reportedly expressed interest in the missile systems.
News18
30-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
How Yogi's UP Became New Home Of BrahMos Missiles That Destroyed 11 Pakistani Airbases
Last Updated: It was Yogi Adityanath, during the recent inauguration of the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, who confirmed the use of the missile in India's retaliatory strikes. The glistening, 28-feet long silver arrows cruised through the night air on May 9-10 at 3,600 kmph, or nearly six times the speed of normal aircraft, 'BrahMos' emblazoned across them in blue. Fifteen of them crashed as giant fireballs on 11 of Pakistan's 13 major airbases, crippling the country's air defence network and military infrastructure. All that remained were runways pockmarked with craters, ashes of air defence radars and equipment, and a nation scampering to save its nuclear facilities from further hits. The BrahMos, dispatched to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, left Pakistan in a muted scream, a thousand kilometres from its new home, the Sarojini Nagar defence production unit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. UP under CM Yogi Adityanath is the newest birthplace of Asia's most dreaded ballistic missile. It was Yogi, during the recent inauguration of the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, who confirmed the use of the missile in India's retaliatory strikes. 'If you didn't witness the BrahMos in action, ask the people of Pakistan," he said with a smile. The announcement was made at a high-profile event – the inauguration of the BrahMos production unit in Lucknow. It was a carefully timed disclosure to bring into sharp focus not just India's rapidly growing military might but also UP's role in defence manufacturing. BrahMos is a long-range supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Its 'Fire-and-Forget' principle, two-stage propulsion system, stealth features, and advanced guidance technology make it extremely difficult to detect or intercept. Depending on the mission, the missile can carry warheads of up to 300 kg and can fly barely 10 metres from the ground and as high as 15 km. Naturally, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 announced two Defence Industrial Corridors – one in Uttar Pradesh and the other in Tamil Nadu – BrahMos was a key component of the plan. These corridors are part of the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives aimed at reducing Bharat's past dependence as the world's largest importer of arms. Uttar Pradesh was chosen because of its enormous population, bustling economy, and existing manufacturing capabilities, particularly in medium, small and micro enterprises. Its central location, infrastructure, and connectivity make it easy to access supply chains in defence production. Then there is a preponderance of skilled labour available for large-scale manufacturing. The Yogi Adityanath government also offers incentives and subsidies to draw investment, including tax benefits and land cost rebates. The six designated nodes of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor include Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot. The new BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow has been built on 80 hectares provided without cost by the state with a total investment of Rs 300 crore. The BrahMos Aerospace Unit in Lucknow includes a precision casting plant for critical components of jet engines and aircraft systems; a forge shop and mill products plant for titanium and super alloy bars, rods, and sheets; a precision machining shop which is India's first indigenous plant for titanium and super alloy metal powder production; the Stride Academy for practical training in defence and aerospace tech; and an R&D centre for indigenous technology development and material innovation. So far, 57 MoUs have been signed, with a proposed investment of nearly Rs 30,000 crore. The target is to raise Rs 50,000 crore and create a lakh jobs. While the BrahMos is doing its job, the destructive and creative power of the India's defence manufacturing idea is the real weapon. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. First Published: May 30, 2025, 10:26 IST
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Business Standard
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India, Russia in talks for advanced BrahMos missiles after Op Sindoor
Following the successful deployment of BrahMos missiles during Operation Sindoor, India has reportedly launched negotiations with Russia to jointly manufacture an advanced version of the missile system, The Economic Times reported. The report said that Moscow has extended full technical support for the project. Initial talks have already been held, with the aim of producing the updated BrahMos at the newly inaugurated facility in Lucknow. The facility, built at a cost of ₹300 crore, will focus on missile production, with the current BrahMos version boasting a range of 290–400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8. Brahmos missile is a product of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a 'fire and forget' system. BrahMos' role in Operation Sindoor The move comes after India launched precision air strikes on May 7 on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Reports suggest that India used Russian-origin systems such as BrahMos missiles and the S-400 air defence system in the operation, showcasing their strategic importance in India's military arsenal. India's Russian-origin defence backbone India's defence arsenal features a variety of Russian-origin weapons systems. In the Army, the T-90S Bhishma and T-72M1 Ajeya tanks form the core of its armoured units, while rocket artillery includes systems like the BM-21 Grad and 9A52 Smerch. India's air defence suite features the S-400 Triumf and short-range systems such as the OSA-AK and Strela-10. The country also plans to produce around 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles in a joint venture in Amethi. In the Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI remains the backbone of its fighter fleet, supported by MiG-29 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft. Rotary-wing assets include the Mil Mi-17 and heavy-lift Mi-26 helicopters. Shift to domestic defence manufacturing India has steadily reduced its import dependence for defence equipment. In March, the government said 65 per cent of defence equipment is now domestically manufactured, with plans to reach ₹3 trillion in defence production by 2029.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
India likely to test extended-range BrahMos air variant in Indian Ocean region
BHUBANESWAR: Amid rising border tensions, India is likely to soon flight test the export variant of the extended-range BrahMos cruise missile, with more indigenous components, in the Indian Ocean region. Defence sources said the preparation is in full swing for a missile test in full operational configuration any time between Friday and Saturday off the Andaman Nicobar Islands. A notice to airmen (NOTAM) has been issued for a 510 km no-fly zone, fuelling speculation about a test of the extended-range BrahMos missile. Although there is no official word on whether it will be a ballistic missile test or a cruise missile, sources told The New Indian Express that it could be a crucial test of the extended-range BrahMos' air version. "BrahMos is a world-class weapon having no comparison. The efforts are focused on more indigenisation of the weapon system. It will enhance operational credibility and refine the accuracy," the sources said. BrahMos is in the headlines following reports of its deployment during Operation Sindoor, a major military operation conducted by Indian armed forces. Defence sources indicated that BrahMos served as a deterrent and demonstrated India's tactical supremacy in rapid-response scenarios. Developed under an Indo-Russian joint venture, supersonic BrahMos is a two-stage cruise missile with a solid propellant booster engine and second-stage liquid ramjet, making it one of the deadliest weapon systems in the world.
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Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IMF funding to Pakistan akin to backing terror, says Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its recent $1 billion bailout package to Pakistan, while asserting that it was akin to terror funding as a large chunk of this loan will be diverted to create terror infrastructure. Addressing Indian Air Force personnel at Bhuj Air Force Station in Gujarat, news agency PTI quoted Singh as having said, 'Certainly, a large part of IMF's $one billion assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure. Will this not be considered indirect funding by the IMF, an international organisation?' 'Any financial assistance to Pakistan is no less than terror funding. The funds India gives to the IMF should not be used, directly or indirectly, to create terror infrastructure in Pakistan or any other country,' he said. In its board meeting in Washington on May 9, the IMF cleared a $1 billion tranche for Pakistan as part of its $ 7-billion funding programme for the country, which India had protested. Singh also spoke of the effectiveness of 'BrahMos' supersonic missiles in Operation Sindoor, stating that the missiles showed Pakistan the 'light of day in the darkness of night'. Pakistan on 'probation' Singh said Operation Sindoor was merely paused and India has kept Pakistan on 'probation' and will watch its behaviour. 'If the behaviour improves, it is fine. But if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given,' Singh said, adding that India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 was only a 'trailer' and India 'will show the full picture, if need be'. 'Attacking and eliminating terrorism is the new normal of new India,' he said. The Defence Minister said Pakistan has again started trying to rebuild the terror infrastructure destroyed by India last week and that Islamabad will 'spend' the money collected from its common citizens to pay around ₹14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and a UN designated terrorist. 'The Pakistan government has announced financial assistance to rebuild the terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed located in Muridke and Bahawalpur,' Singh said. Tharoor & Owaisi to be part of MPs delegations New Delhi has put together a diplomatic outreach that will involve sending more than half a dozen all-party delegations, comprising Members of Parliament (MPs) and former ministers, to different world capitals starting next week. The delegations, which are set to include Opposition MPs, including Congress' Shashi Tharoor and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, will put forth India's case about Pakistan's nurturing and sponsoring of terrorism in front of the world community. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will brief the MPs before they depart. Apart from the Bharatiya Janata Party, MPs of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Samajwadi Party, Left parties, and others will be part of the delegations, which could leave by late next week for a period of 10 days. Sources said former Union minister Anurag Thakur, BJP's Bhubaneswar MP and former civil servant Aparajita Sarangi, Congress' Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid and Amar Singh, TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Janata Dal (United)'s Sanjay Jha, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, John Brittas of the CPI(M), Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT), Supriya Sule of NCP (SP), DMK's K Kanimozhi, AIMIM's Owaisi and Aam Aadmi Party's Vikramjit Sawhney are likely to be part of the delegations. Khurshid, a former external affairs minister, is set to lead a delegation of seven MPs to south and southeast Asia. NCP (SP)'s Sule will head the delegation that will visit countries in West Asia and Africa, while Congress' Tewari-led delegation will travel to Europe and some West Asian countries. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had spoken to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharje about the government's diplomatic outreach. Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not join the all-party meeting, neither has he agreed to the demand for a special Parliament session and has now called for a meeting of only the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chief ministers 'to take political mileage from Operation Sindoor', and now wants MPs from all parties to go abroad for explaining India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. 'The diplomatic initiative is badly needed but why these double standards?' Ramesh asked, but said 'the Congress always takes a position in the national interest and never politicised national security issues like the BJP does. Hence, the Congress will definitely be a part of these delegations.' In a development related to Operation Sindoor, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) on Friday urged the industry to suspend all business transactions with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The Confederation of All India Traders announced a boycott of all trade and commercial engagement with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, citing their recent 'support' for Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
