By Invitation | Women Behind Weapons

Rohan Ramesh

The BRAHMOS missile has added a cutting edge to all three branches of the Indian armed forces in recent times. The supersonic cruise missile, which derives its name from a portmanteau created from the names of rivers Brahmaputra in India and Moskva in Russia, is a unique and vital strategic asset that can give India a massive advantage in case of a potential conflict with either or both of not-so-friendly neighbours.

BRAHMOS missile vertically launched from INS Kolkata

Being the fastest cruise missile in operation, the BRAHMOS is unique, says Vice Admiral (retd) N.N. Kumar, Executive Director (Production) at Brahmos Aerospace. “It has no international competitors except the proven capabilities of Russia,” he adds.

Derived from the Russian missile P-800 Oniks or Yakhont, the BRAHMOS features a home-grown control system and boasts of high levels of indigenisation. The indigenous equipment comprising the electronics, metal parts, chemicals and electrical cables-connectors constitutes about 60 per cent of the cost of the missile.

“It has a shelf life of 10 years”, he adds. The missile can be pulled straight out of stocks and used anytime within a period of 10 years. “Its high accuracy has been proven time and again during tests,” he insists. “Once it is tested, the missile is ready to fire.”

The BRAHMOS brings to bear a massive amount of firepower on its target. With a range of 290-400 kilometres, the missile is exceptional as it travels over three times the speed of sound. The kin