BrahMos: The bolt from the blue
AIR power pioneers asserted during the Great War years that aerial power is inherently offensive and should be independent; control of air is essential for victory; bombers would always penetrate defences and the enemy’s will could be broken through strategic bombing. Recently, the Indian Air Force, with the combination of air-launched BrahMos and Su-30 MKI, reaffirmed that these tenets still hold true, forcing Pakistan to request a ceasefire.
In 1983, the Government of India formed the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Initially, it was focussed on ballistic missiles. But the devastating effect of US ship- and air-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles on Iraqi air defence systems during the 1991 Gulf war inspired India. In 1998, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam signed a pact with his Russian counterpart, establishing the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture. In 2001, the first test launch of BrahMos was conducted.
BrahMos is a two-stage cruise missile with a solid-propellant booster in the first stage that accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds. Once separated, a liquid-fuelled ramjet engine takes over, propelling it to a cruising speed of Mach 3. It operates at altitudes of 15 km to 10 m and has a range of 300-800 km. It carries a 200-300 kg conventional warhead and operates on the fire-and-forget principle. After firing, it autonomously navigates to its target, using inertial navigation, satellite guidance and terrain contour-matching, achieving accuracy of less than one metre.
The air-to-surface version was launched in 2017 and inducted into 222 Squadron, Tigersharks, in 2020. Its speed, accuracy and kinetic impact makes BrahMos one of the deadliest conventional cruise missiles. A direct hit from BrahMos can destroy reinforced bunkers, warships or command centres through its momentum. Its kinetic energy is 32 times of the US Tomahawk missile.
As ground-based air defence systems have become more accurate and lethal, the operational freedom once enjoyed by aerial platforms has diminished. The Ukraine-Russia war is a live example. After suffering heavy losses in the early stages, both sides avoided overflying contested areas and relied on long-range standoff weapons.
A similar approach was observed in the recent India-Pakistan conflict, when neither Indian nor Pakistani aircraft crossed the border. Pakistan relied on Turkish-made drones. Most of them were intercepted. Pakistan also used the ‘Fateh’ ballistic missile. Ballistic missiles have large-radar cross-section and follow a predictable, high-altitude parabolic trajectory. It makes them vulnerable to interception. Sure enough, India intercepted all missiles. In contrast, India launched BrahMos missiles from Su-30 MKIs to destroy targets with pinpoint accuracy. Though detailed results remain classified, the operational impact was undeniable. These missiles ensured minimal risk to pilots while achieving precision strike objectives. Due to its low-altitude, supersonic cruise profile, BrahMos is virtually impossible to intercept with existing air defence systems.
Indian scientists are already developing a future, more lethal version, BrahMos-NG (Next Generation). This will be smaller and lighter, enabling integration with platforms such as Tejas, Mirage and Rafale. Importantly, there will be no compromise on speed, range, lethality or stealth. Equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, it will offer enhanced precision. Simultaneously, a hypersonic version, known as BrahMos-II, inspired by the Russian Zircon missile, is being developed. It will be powered by scramjet to have a speed of more than 8 Mach and range of over 1,500 km. It will be impossible to intercept. This missile could be a true game-changer.
Arms exports play a vital role in enhancing a nation’s strategic influence. India has promoted BrahMos, with the Philippines becoming the first customer in 2022. Vietnam and Indonesia have expressed interest. Given concerns over China’s growing presence in the South China Sea, the acquisition of BrahMos by ASEAN nations could bolster regional deterrence. India’s entry into this niche market will enhance its strategic and economic ties across Asia.
The BrahMos showcased success of the government’s push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The missile has more than 70 per cent Indian components. Its success is likely to catalyse collaboration between DRDO, Indian industries and academia and boost innovation.
The success of BrahMos is a testament to the changing nature of the battlefield, shifting from tactics to technologically-driven warfare, particularly the rise of precision-guided munitions like cruise missiles. BrahMos is poised to be a tactical asset and strategic game-changer for the security landscape.
Air Marshal Amit Tiwari (Retd) is former AOC-in-C, Central air command.
Comments