SOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is set to clear a monumental Rs 20,000 crore contract for the procurement of 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. This deal, aimed at enhancing the firepower of both the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), underscores the nation’s commitment to strengthening its military deterrence and operational readiness. The supersonic missiles, jointly developed by India and Russia, are poised to elevate the strategic strike capabilities of both services, with the Army likely to receive a slightly larger share of the allocation.
The contract, valued at approximately Rs 20,000 crore, will see the acquisition of around 250 BrahMos missiles, renowned for their speed and precision. Travelling at nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8), these missiles have a current operational range of approximately 300 kilometers, though variants with extended ranges are under development. The deal reflects a balanced distribution between the Army and the Air Force, with the former expected to integrate a marginally higher number of missiles into its arsenal. This allocation aligns with the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its ground-based strike capabilities along critical fronts.
The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia, is a product of a successful collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Since its induction into the Indian armed forces, it has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s conventional precision-strike arsenal, capable of being launched from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms.
As part of this acquisition, the Indian Army is expected to raise an additional regiment of BrahMos missiles, further strengthening its operational flexibility and deterrence posture. The Army has already integrated multiple BrahMos regiments since 2007, deploying them in strategic locations to counter potential threats, particularly along India’s northern and western borders. The addition of a new regiment will likely enhance the Army’s ability to conduct rapid, high-impact strikes against enemy targets, including fortified positions and critical infrastructure.
Each BrahMos regiment typically comprises dozens of missiles, mobile autonomous launchers, and command-and-control systems, enabling swift deployment and response in dynamic battlefield scenarios. The Army’s focus on expanding its BrahMos inventory highlights the missile’s proven reliability and its role as a force multiplier in modern warfare.
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