BRAHMOS: THE GAMECHANGER

India’s best known supersonic cruise missile can be a great instrument of military diplomacy for its immense export potential in Asian markets

- ARITRA BANERJEE

The $375 million deal to export the BrahMos cuise missile to the Philippines placed India in the elite missile exporters’ club. Having received the relevant government’s approvals, BrahMos is set to export its supersonic cruise missile to third-party friendly, responsible nations. The company’s CEO Dinkar Rane had hinted in a recent interview that exports may even begin this year.

The sale to Manila which happened through a ‘Government-to-Government (G2G) route’ serves as a precedent for more prospective customers in South East Asia. BrahMos is already talking to several prospective buyers in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The current geopolitical situation raises export opportunities, as well as supply chain challenges for the BrahMos Joint Venture, which is the flag-bearer of Indo-Russian technical cooperation and strategic partnership.

Tech behind the BrahMos

Aerospace & Defence analyst Girish Linganna described the missile's technical specifications. He noted that the BrahMos is a two-stage missile. At stage one, the solid propellant booster engine separates after it reaches Mach-1 or supersonic speed. In stage two, the liquid ramjet engine boosts the missile’s speed to about Mach 3 in cruise phase. “The BrahMos [...] can be launched from land, air, and sea. It is a multi-capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that works both day and night” in all weather conditions, Linganna added. He also highlighted that BrahMos missile operates on the ‘Fire and Forget’ principle, possesses stealth technology, and is the fastest mid-range missile today.