Context:
Following the operational success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy and Air Force are moving ahead with large-scale acquisition of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The move highlights the missile’s exceptional performance, precision strike capabilities, and deterrence value particularly in the context of cross-border engagements.
About BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile:
Joint Development
- A joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM.
- Named after the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
Key Features
- Speed: Supersonic (Mach 2.8–3.0) throughout its trajectory.
- Range: ~290 km (with extended versions under development).
- Launch Platforms: Compatible with land-based launchers, ships, submarines, and aircraft.
What is Supersonic? (Mach 1 to Mach 5)
- Speed faster than sound but less than 5 times the speed of sound.
- Speed Range: Mach 1 to Mach 5 (1,235 km/h to ~6,174 km/h).
What is Hypersonic?
- Speeds greater than Mach 5.
- Speed Range: Above 6,174 km/h
