The Indian Air Force is set to receive a significant upgrade, enhancing its combat capabilities. The Ministry of Defence has approved a major defense procurement plan worth $7.64 billion, which includes the acquisition of 110 BrahMos-A air-launched supersonic cruise missiles and 87 heavy drones. This acquisition will significantly increase India’s air strike capabilities and strategic influence.
The BrahMos-A missile was recently used in combat during Operation Sindoor, successfully targeting and disabling critical airbases and runways of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). This successful operation showcased the missile’s ability to strike deep within enemy territory, irrespective of the conditions.
Understanding BrahMos-A
The BrahMos-A is the air-launched variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. It is a collaborative development between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, under the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture. The missile’s name is derived from the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
The missile’s speed ranges from Mach 2.8 to 3.0, which is about three times the speed of sound. It can engage targets beyond 450 km, with an extended range version capable of reaching 800 km. The fire-and-forget technology ensures that once launched, the missile autonomously navigates and strikes its intended target.
Integration with the Sukhoi Aircraft
The BrahMos-A is launched from the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. It can carry a high-explosive warhead weighing between 200 and 300 kg. Key features include its ability to operate at high altitudes (15 km) and low-altitude strikes (as low as 10 meters). The low radar cross-section of the missile makes it difficult for the enemy to detect and neutralize it.
Key Advantages
The missile’s advantages include: It travels at three times the speed of sound; a range of 450 to 800 km; the ability to strike with precision on both land and sea; all-weather operational capabilities; and the capability to evade enemy air defense systems.
Enhancing India’s Air Power
This acquisition will give a new dimension to India’s air power. The combined power of the BrahMos-A and the heavy drones will provide a strategic advantage to India, assuring the ability to strike enemy targets from extended ranges. This will equip the Indian Air Force with a potent weapon capable of hitting targets in air, on land, and at sea, sending a clear signal to potential adversaries.