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SOURCE: AFI

India’s defense strategy has long leaned heavily on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, known for its speed and precision. However, this reliance has sparked a debate about the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of such dependence, especially as India struggles to develop or procure more affordable, indigenous alternatives.

The BrahMos missile, named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva, has become a cornerstone of India’s military might. It boasts a supersonic speed of Mach 2.8, making it one of the fastest cruise missiles in operation, capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea, and air platforms. Its versatility and effectiveness have made it an integral part of India’s tri-services (Army, Navy, Air Force) operations, with deployments ranging from coastal defense to strategic land strikes.

BrahMos has significantly bolstered India’s deterrence capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain where it serves as an anti-ship weapon, and in border areas where it can engage both land and sea targets with high accuracy.

Each BrahMos missile is reported to cost around $5 to $9 million, with variations depending on the variant (land, sea, air, or submarine-launched). This pricing has led to discussions about the feasibility of deploying these missiles in large numbers or in scenarios requiring mass fire.

For an army with vast border defense responsibilities, the financial implications of relying heavily on such an expensive system are significant. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force must balance their budgets across various operational needs, where the BrahMos, while effective, might not be the most cost-efficient solution for all scenarios.

Projects like the Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile have faced delays and technical issues. Although Nirbhay aims to provide a cheaper alternative with a longer range, it has not yet matched the reliability and operational readiness of BrahMos.

Another home-grown solution, the Pralay, is designed to be a more affordable option with tactical ballistic capabilities, yet its integration into the military’s strategy has been slow, and its role might not overlap entirely with BrahMos due to different flight profiles.

: Global alternatives are either too expensive or not tailored to India’s specific needs. Moreover, geopolitical considerations restrict access to certain technologies, pushing India towards self-reliance.

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