BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

About

BrahMos is the supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPOM of Russia.

Ballistic Missiles vs Cruise Missiles:

Ballistic missiles are powered by rockets initially but then they follow an unpowered, free-falling trajectory toward their targets. Ballistic missiles can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions. They can be launched from aircraft, ships, and submarines in addition to land-based silos and mobile platforms.
On the other hand, Cruise missiles are unmanned vehicles that are propelled by jet engines, much like an airplane. They can be launched from ground, air, or sea platforms. Cruise missiles remain within the atmosphere for the duration of their flight and can fly as low as a few meters off the ground.

Classification of Cruise Missiles:

Subsonic cruise missile (flies at a speed lesser than that of sound i.e. less than 1 Mach)
Supersonic cruise missile (travels at a speed of around 2-3 Mach)
Hypersonic cruise missile (travels at a speed of more than 5 Mach)

Did you know?

BrahMos is an amalgamation of the names of the rivers Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia.

BrahMos is a two-stage missile with solid propellant booster as first stage and liquid ramjet as the second stage.
The missile has a very low radar signature, making it stealthy, and can achieve a variety of trajectories.
Being a cruise missile it can be guided towards a predetermined land- or sea-based target.
With a capability to attain speeds 2.8 times that of sound (Mach 2.8), BrahMos is classified as a supersonic cruise missile.
The ‘fire and forget’ type missile can achieve a cruising altitude of 15 km and a terminal altitude as low as 10 m to hit the target.
The range of the BrahMos was originally limited to 290 kms as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) of which Russia was a signatory.
- Following India’s entry into the club in 2016, plans were announced to extend the range initially to 450 kms and subsequently to 600 kms.
- BrahMos with extended range upto 450 kms has been tested several times since.

Missile Technology Control Regime:

Established in 1987, the voluntary MTCR aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks.
The regime includes 35 members (including India). MTCR membership helps countries to have access to crucial missile technologies.

The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea, and air against surface and sea-based targets and has been long inducted by the Indian armed forces.

Press Release:Press Information Bureau

Indonesia has not yet made a decision on buying missiles from BrahMos Aerospace in India, a spokesperson at the country’s Defence Ministry said.
BrahMos, a company co-owned by the Indian and Russian governments, had said in 2023 that it was in advanced discussions with Jakarta on a deal worth $200 million to $350 million.

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