The INS Visakhapatnam, a stealth guided-missile destroyer, recently test-launched an extended range sea-to-sea variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The BrahMos project is a joint collaboration between India and Russia.
The BrahMos project is a collaboration between India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia's National Propulsion Organization (NPOM). BrahMos is the name given to the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.
The Russian P-800 Oniks cruise missile and other Russian sea-skimming cruise missiles are used in this joint venture's technology.
It is now the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile in service. Both the land-based and the ship-based variants are now in operation. In 2012, BrahMos got an air-launched variant, which went into service in 2019.
The BrahMos-II, a hypersonic variant of the missile with a speed of Mach 7–8, is also being developed to improve airborne quick-strike capability. By 2024, it was expected to be tested.
The P-700 Granit, a mid-range cruise missile, was supposed to be the basis for the BrahMos. The missile directing system was designed by BrahMos Aerospace and is based on a Russian missile. A total order of US$13 billion for the missile is expected.
It was started on September 14, 2021, that the government would establish a BrahMos production site between Lucknow and Jhansi. The manufacturing unit's establishment will help to create jobs in the surrounding area.
BrahMos is a two-stage medium-range missile. BrahMos' propulsion can be explained as follows:
Stage 1
Solid Propellant Booster Engine
Is separated after it reaches MACH-1 or Supersonic speed
Stage 2
Liquid Ramjet Engine
Takes the missile close to MACH 3 in cruise phase
BrahMos is a multiplatform missile that can be launched from ships, land, submarines, and aircraft.
All-Weather BrahMos Missile is a multi-capability missile that can hit targets with precise accuracy. The BrahMos Missile can be used at any time of day or night, regardless of the weather.
Because it operates on the "Fire and Forgets" Principle, the BrahMos Missile does not require additional guidance once launched.
The BrahMos Missile has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is 3 times the speed of sound. As a result, BrahMos is one of the world's fastest operationally deployed missiles.
The BrahMos missile has a range of around 300 kilometres. In 2016, India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). With this, the range of the BrahMos Missile will be increased to 450 kilometres, with the possibility of increasing to 600 kilometres in the future.
Carrying Capacity: The BrahMos missile can carry 250-300 kg of warheads. Both conventional and nuclear warheads can be carried by the BrahMos missile.
INS Viskhapatnam
As part of Project-15B, the first of four-stealth guided-missile destroyers is being built. The other three ships in Project 15B are:
Mormugao, the P15B's second ship, was launched in 2016 and is currently being tested in port.
The third ship (Imphal) was launched in 2019 and is currently being outfitted.
The fourth ship (Surat) is currently being built and will be launched during the current fiscal year (2022).
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai is building Project 15B (P 15B) guided-missile destroyers.
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
It is a non-binding, voluntary agreement between 35 countries to prohibit the spread of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies capable of transporting more than 500 kg of payload over more than 300 kilometres.
Members are thus barred from supplying non-members with missiles and UAV systems controlled by the MTCR.
All decisions are made with the unanimous consent of all members.
This is a non-treaty organisation of member countries that have specified rules for information exchange, national control legislation, and export policies for missile systems, as well as a rule-based regulation mechanism to prevent the transfer of these missile systems' vital technologies.
It was founded in April 1987 by the G-7 countries of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, and Japan.
The regime's focus shifted in 1992 to missile proliferation for the delivery of all sorts of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
It isn't a legally binding agreement. As a result, no disciplinary action could be taken against those who disobeyed the regime's rules.
In 2016, India became the 35th member of the Missile Technology Control Regime.
India can obtain advanced missile technology and collaborate with other countries on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles e.g., Procurement of theatre missile interceptor “Arrow II '' from Israel, military drones like “Avenger” from the USA etc.
MY OPINION
It will better the relationship between India, Russia, and the Philippines. There are advantages of it like can be launched from ships, land, submarines and aircraft platforms, works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions. And it is a great success of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It will also reduce the burden of controlling as BrahMos Missile once launched, does not require further guidance because it works on the Fire and Forgets” Principle.
References
https://www.ndtv.com/topic/brahmos-missile-test-fired-successfully
https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/brahmos/
https://www.adda247.com/upsc-exam/brahmos-missile-extended-range-brahmos-flight-tested/
https://simplifiedupsc.in/brahmos-missile-system/
https://prepp.in/news/e-492-advance-version-of-brahmos-upsc-current-affairs
https://www.gktoday.in/current-affairs/test-fire-of-brahmos-advanced-variant/
https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advance-version-of-brahmos
https://www.nextias.com/current-affairs/12-01-2022/brahmos-advanced-variant-test-fired
https://www.rauias.com/daily-current-affairs-for-upsc-ias/brahmos-aerospace-drdo-brahmos-upsc/
https://dhyeyaias.com/current-affairs/daily-current-affairs/brahmos-missile-naval-version
https://www.iasabhiyan.com/brahmos-missile-test-fired/
https://www.visionias.net/2021/12/daily-current-affairs-10th-december-2021.html?m=0
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