SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
BrahMos Aerospace is in discussions with the Indian Army to develop a ground-based variant of the upcoming BrahMos-NG cruise missile. This variant would feature a booster stage and could be mounted on 8×8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles (HMVs). The lighter and more agile configuration aims to address specific operational needs, particularly in high-altitude terrains.
The IAF has already expressed strong interest in the BrahMos-NG program, particularly for its air-launched configuration. The lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the NG missile make it compatible with a wider range of aircraft, including smaller platforms like the LCA Tejas Mk1A.
The Navy has shown interest in a torpedo-launched variant of the BrahMos-NG for its conventional submarine fleet. This development would significantly enhance the Navy’s underwater strike capabilities, providing a stealthy and versatile option for maritime operations.
While the Army has been less enthusiastic about a truck-mounted BrahMos-NG, citing the existing capabilities of the larger BrahMos missile, discussions are ongoing. The focus is on how the BrahMos-NG can complement existing systems and address niche requirements, particularly in high-altitude areas where agility and lighter equipment are critical.
The BrahMos-NG, with its lighter weight of approximately 1.3–1.4 tons, offers logistical and operational advantages, particularly in mountainous and high-altitude regions. Mounted on medium-class trucks, the BrahMos-NG system would be more agile and capable of rapid deployment compared to the current BrahMos launchers, which are mounted on larger vehicles and limited by their weight.
The lighter configuration would enable the Army to field the missile in previously inaccessible areas, broadening its strategic reach. The development of a ground-based BrahMos-NG variant could provide the Army with a versatile and agile missile system, particularly suited for high-altitude and rapid deployment scenarios. As discussions progress, the integration of this system could complement the existing BrahMos fleet and address the evolving operational challenges faced by the Indian Army.
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