Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Brahmos and its Range, MTCR
Mains level: Boost in Defence Exports of India
Why in the news?
India has handed over the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines marking a significant step in bilateral defense cooperation.
India- Philippines Brahmos Deal
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About BrahMos Missiles
Development:
- BrahMos is a joint venture between the DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
- The name BrahMos comes from the two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
- The first successful test in 2001 was conducted from a specially designed land-based launcher.
Capabilities:
- BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.
- Launched from: Submarine, ships, aircraft, or land.
- It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.
- It has two stages:
- First stage comprising of a solid fuel rocket booster and
- Second stage comprising a liquid-fueled ramjet.
Warhead:
- Ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead,
- Aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead.
Variants and Range
- The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0, which is being upgraded to Mach 5.0.
- A hypersonic version of the missile, BrahMos-II, is also presently under development with a speed of Mach 7-8 to boost aerial fast strike capability.
- Initially restricted by the Missile Technology Control Regime to a range of 290km, the BrahMos missile’s range was extended to 450km following India’s entry into the regime in June 2016.
- Ongoing efforts aim further to extend the missile’s range beyond 600km, enhancing its operational reach and effectiveness in various scenarios.
Strategic Implications of the move
- This development comes amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China emphasizing the significance of enhancing defensive preparedness.
- The acquisition of BrahMos missiles under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme will bolster the defensive capabilities of the Philippines armed forces.
PYQ:[2014] Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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