- By Akansha Pandey
- Thu, 15 May 2025 07:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Operation Sindoor reportedly caused chaos in terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This happened just days after the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where terrorists killed 26 innocent tourists. During Operation Sindoor, several Indian-made weapons and techniques were supposedly used to cause damage in Pakistan. The BrahMos missile is said to be one of them.With the capability to be launched from land, air and sea, Brahmos assists the armed forces on multiple fronts. This missile became a key point of conversation after the success of Operation Sindoor. Though there is no formal confirmation from the defence ministry, multiple reports suggest that the BrahMos missile was likely among the systems deployed alongside SCALP and HAMMER munitions and its strike targeted areas such as Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. The airbases in Bholari, Jacobabad, Skardu and Sargodha also had extensive damage. Radar sites at Sialkot and Pasrur were also hit.
About BrahMos Missile
India's defense history entered a new phase in 1983, with the launch of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). This ambitious initiative by decision-makers and scientists aimed to achieve self-sufficiency in missile technology by developing a full spectrum of missiles, including intermediate and short-range systems. Following the 1990s Gulf War, however, the need for a cruise missile system became apparent. It was then that India leveraged its long-standing friendly relations with Russia, while maintaining its non-aligned stance, to collaborate on developing this new missile system.
The BrahMos missile gets its name by combining two rivers: India's Brahmaputra and Russia's Moskva. This supersonic cruise missile is a result of India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM collaboration. Officially established through an inter-governmental agreement on February 12, 1998, which was signed between Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and NV Mikhailov in Moscow. BrahMos was first tested on June 12, 2001.
What Is BrahMos Missile?
BRAHMOS is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage which brings it to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to 3 Mach speed in cruise phase. Stealth technology and guidance system with advanced embedded software provides the missile with special features.
The missile has a flight range of up to 290 km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuing lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.
It adopts a variety of flights on its way to the target. Its destructive power is enhanced due to large kinetic energy on impact. Its cruising altitude could be up to 15 km and terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters. It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200 to 300 kgs.
Features Of BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile operates on ‘Fire and Forget Principle’ which means after it is launched, the missile will continue to its target without further input from the operator. Its high speed and kinetic energy, making it a potent weapon system.
Some key features of BrahMos are —
- Universal Missile for multiple platforms.
- Fire and Forget principle of operation.
- High supersonic speed all through the flight.
- Long flight with varieties of trajectories.
- Low radar signature.
- Pin point accuracy & high lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact.
- Advanced guidance system Incorporating high manoeuvres & steep dive capabilities.
- Air-breathing ramjet propulsion for fuel-efficiency & supersonic speed.
- For better stability & accurate direction of the missile during the flight.
- Solid State Propellant.
- Solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration of the missile.
Variants Of BrahMos
Ship Based - Deployed on Indian Navy warships, capable of vertical and inclined launch.
Land Based - Mobile autonomous launcher with multiple target engagement capability.
Air Launched - Deployed from Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30 MKI, tested in 2007.
BrahMos II - Hypersonic Variant
In addition to the supersonic version of the Brahmos, India and Russia are also collaborating on a hypersonic version of the missile. Reports suggest that the Brahmos-II will be powered by a scramjet engine rather than the ramjet version. Russian defense officials have also claimed that the missile will reach the Mach 5 threshold required to be classified as hypersonic by using a special new fuel.
BrahMos-NG
Building on the success of the world-class BrahMos, the future is the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation). Driven by evolving technology, this upcoming missile aims to be one of the most powerful. The key design shift is making it smaller, lighter, and smarter. This reduced size significantly increases its versatility and flexibility, allowing it to be fitted onto a much wider range of air and naval platforms that couldn't carry the standard BrahMos. Despite being smaller, the NG version promises ultra-precision and increased firepower, while importantly retaining the BrahMos's signature high speed, effective range, stealth, and overall capability. It will be a highly attractive option in the global market for nations wanting to equip more of their frontline assets with a compact, versatile supersonic missile. A land-attack variant is also part of the plan.
Key features of BRAHMOS-NG would be:
- Reduced Dimension & Weight for widespread usage
- Advanced next generation stealth
- Greater effectiveness against ECCM
- Higher versatility in underwater combat applications
- Launch readiness from Torpedo tube and vertical orientation
Role Of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam In Brahmos
The former President of India also called ‘the Missile Man Of India’ played a very crucial role in the development of BrahMos missile. As a head of Defence Research Development Organisation, Dr Kalam was instrumental in establishing the inter-government agreement between India and Russia. This agreement, signed by Dr Kalam from the Indian side and NV Mikhailov, the First Deputy Defence Minister of Russia, laid the foundation for the formation of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited which was held in Moscow in 1998. BrahMos Aerospace was established with a shareholding of 50.5 per cent (India) and 49.5 per cent (Russia).
The mission objective was to develop a versatile, high-speed, precision-guided missile capable of multi-platform deployment.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was also head of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and oversaw the development of India’s indigenous missile technology. His approach of ‘management by partnership’ was the key lament in the success of the IGMDP and the BrahMos projects.
In short, Dr Kalam was not just a signatory to an agreement, he was the driving force and visionary who laid the groundwork for the BrahMos missile. His belief in India's potential and his ability to foster international partnerships were crucial in materialising the concept of a supersonic cruise missile that significantly strengthened India's defense capabilities. BrahMos today stands as a powerful legacy of his contribution to India's self-reliance in defence technology.
