South India gets 1st BrahMos armed Sukhoi squad to guard Indian Ocean Region - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

South India gets 1st BrahMos armed Sukhoi squad to guard Indian Ocean Region.

• The BrahMos cruise missile travels at a speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times that of sound
• The Su-30 MKI aircraft, along with the BrahMos will be a game-changer and extensively enhance the security of the maritime domain
Adding teeth to India's air and maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean Region, a squadron of fourth generation fighter jets Sukhoi-30 MKI equipped with the BrahMos missile was inducted on Monday at the airforce station here, the first such base in South India.
The 'Tigersharks' 222 squadron of Sukhoi 30 MKI jets, formally inducted by Chief of Defence Staff Gen.Bipin Rawat, will be tasked with the air dominance and maritime role and equipped with the air variant of the BrahMos.

The squadron based in this ancient Chola capital, about 340 kms from Chennai, is seen as a gamechanger in guarding the strategically important Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that has seen growing Chinese presence.
Expected to set right the military balance in the IOR, the Su-30 MKI is a state-of-the-art all weather multi-role fighter aircraft capable of undertaking varied air defence, ground attack and maritime missions.
BrahMos, an Indo-Russian joint venture weapon, is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from submarines, warships, fighter jets or land. The 2.5-tonne missile has a strike range of nearly 300 km.
The BrahMos cruise missile travels at a speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times that of sound. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria and senior defence officials were among those present on the occasion of the induction ceremony with the former describing it as a historic day for the Indian Air Force.
"So the role it will undertake is the Air Defence of Southern Peninsula and more importantly with this special maritime capability in combination of Brahmos it will be in for maritime role in support of nation," Bhadauria said. A defence release said with the operationalisation of the squadron, the air defence capablilites of IAF, particularly in the Southern Air Command area will be strengthened. "This would also provide protection to our island territories and sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean Region.
The IOR is increasingly gaining importance and the presence of a fighter squadron will provide security cover to all our strategic and vital assets in the region," it added. The Sukhois have a combat radius of almost 1,500 km without midair refuelling. "There has been a gradual to an accelerated expansion of varied maritime forces in the region which could afffect the existing military balance. Therefore, there is a need to protect our military and economic interests in the IOR," the release said in an apparent reference to the Chinese presence in the IOR and the need to respond to it.
China already has a military base at the strategically located Djibouti at the horn of Africa, its first in a foreign nation, and it is also looking at expanding its presence. Enhancement of the IAF's capability with the induction of the squad was in response to both conventional and non conventional threats in the IOR and to ensure security and stability in the region, the release said. General Rawat, in his address said the "Tigersharks" underscored "integration," which is the future of the Indian Armed Forces.
The Su-30 MKI aircraft, along with the BrahMos will be a game-changer and extensively enhance the security of the maritime domain, he noted. The squadron will be operating closely with the army and navy to get the ball rolling and thus harmonizing with the armed forces, he said. While the fighter jets got a water salute, the induction ceremony culminated with a flying display by light combat aircraft, Sarang helicopter display team and Surya Kiran aerobatic team. Bhadauria, in his address, said it was a historic day for the Indian Air Force. On the decision to choose Thanjavur as the base for the SU 30 MKI squadron, he said it was because of its strategic location.
He complimented the Southern Air Command and all personnel of air force station here for their efforts in advancing the induction by almost a year. Apart from that the station would also handle all other roles that Air Force would assign in terms of offensive or defensive as part of any other missions, he said. The 222 squadron was raised at Ambala in 1969 with Sukhoi Su-7 aircraft. In July 1971, it was moved to Halwara and was engaged in combat with the Pakistan Air Force in the 1971 war.
In 1985, the Tigersharks became the first Indian squadron to be equipped with the Mig-27 aircraft and it is now being "resurrected," with the Su-30 MKI at Thanjavur. With the induction, integrated flying training is also set to commence along with the indigenous Tejas aircraft which is already present in Coimbatore. According to the IAF, latest radars will be deployed in the region to further strengthen its integrated surveillance system.
During the IAF exercise Gagan Shakti-2018, the capabilities of this aircraft were amply demonstrated. Also, it showcased an extended air operational range with the help of air to air refuelling by the IL-78 aircraft.
The Indian Ocean Region, faced numerous challenges such as drug trafficking, piracy and maritime terrorism and the busiest trans oceanic trade route. The IOR is so important that more than 80 per cent of India's energy supply was routed through it and it is likely to grow to 95 per cent by 2025. (Source: Livemint)


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

South India gets 1st BrahMos armed Sukhoi squad to guard Indian Ocean Region.

IAF test-fires BrahMos surface-to -surface missiles successfully - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

IAF test-fires BrahMos surface-to -surface missiles successfully.

BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms.

The Indian Air Force has carried out successful firing of BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles from a mobile platform at Trak Island in Andaman Nicobar islands, officials said on Tuesday.

The drill to check the IAF's capability to hit targets with "pin-point" accuracy at targets close to 300 KM was conducted on Monday and Tuesday, they said. "Surface-to-surface missiles were fired by IAF at Trak Island in the Andaman Nicobar group of islands," said an official, adding the missile engaged the designated mock targets close to 300 KM away.
"A direct hit on the target was achieved in both the cases. Firing of the missile has enhanced IAF's capability to engage the grounds targets with pin point accuracy from a mobile platform," he said. The 2.5-tonne surface-to-surface missile has a range of around 300 km.
BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms. (Source: Indiatoday)


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

IAF test-fires BrahMos surface-to -surface missiles successfully.

BRAHMOS The unparalleled weapon system - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

BRAHMOS The unparalleled weapon system.

BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile has been indomitably scaling greater heights of success since its inception in 1998. The successful Joint Venture (JV) has till date achieved excellent results delivering a world class product to the Indian Armed Forces.

Today, this successful Joint Venture between India and Russia is not just transfer of technology but mutual production and upgradation of technology so as to ensure that the country becomes self-sufficient in supersonic strategic missile capacity.

Both Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and JSC MIC NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM) of Russia have made impressive strides in joint design, development and production of the high-technology BRAHMOS.
The supersonic cruise missile is a unique example of the partnership between both the nations in critical areas of research and development.
The potential BRAHMOS, developed as a fusion of great scientific minds from India and Russia, has grown from strength to strength over the years and added new capabilities to meet divergent war scenarios.
The advanced weapon system, with its versatility, potentiality and striking capability, has maintained a leading edge over world’s other missiles. BRAHMOS is capable of flying at a top speed of Mach 3 or 3,000-km an hour and is extremely lethal in striking down an enemy target in no time.
The supersonic speed of the missile also makes it difficult for interception by the enemy’s air defence system.
The missile with pinpoint accuracy can be launched as far as 290 km from the target. The missile has successfully demonstrated its speed, precision and power a number of times from naval ships and Mobile Autonomous Launchers.
The launches have been carried out in sea-to-sea, sea-to-land, land-to-land and land-to-sea configurations. The Indian Army and Indian Navy became the first recipients of this unparalleled weapon system.
The air-launched version was successfully test-fired for the first time in 2017 from a modified Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. In 22 May 2019,
BRAHMOS Air Launched Missile, fired from Su-30MKI effectively penetrated a land target, thus showcasing time and again a much desired capability of BRAHMOS missile to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions.
BrahMos Aerospace also prides itself in possessing a full-fledged design centre, an Industrial Consortium for producing different sub-systems, a world-class integration, and check-out facilities with stringent quality control.
BrahMos Missile Industrial Complex comprises of more than 200 Indian industries and multiple Russian industries, R&D labs and academic institutions of both the countries.
BrahMos Aerospace now aims to take it to the next level by designing and developing even more lethal and powerful variants of the existing weapon, including a smaller, smarter BRAHMOS-NG (Next-Gen) for arming a wide range of modern military platforms, and a hypersonic BRAHMOS-II (K) which promises to revolutionise future warfare in a significant way.BrahMos Aerospace wishes all with great fervour on the auspicious occasion of India’s 73rd Independence Day.


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

BRAHMOS The unparalleled weapon system.

Made in India missiles big hit! Countries across the Globe show interest in buying BrahMos, Akash - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Made in India missiles big hit! Countries across the Globe show interest in buying BrahMos, Akash.

The government has been receiving proposals for the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Missile from as diverse as ASEAN countries, South American nation Chile and South Africa which is a member of the BRICS Grouping. The BrahMos has been developed at a low budget of $300 million.

India’s lacklustre effort to sell indigenously developed missiles has helped neighbouring China to boost its export prospects of its weapons system to potential buyers, which New Delhi has been eyeing.

The government has been receiving proposals for the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Missile from as diverse as ASEAN countries, South American nation Chile and South Africa which is a member of the BRICS Grouping. The BrahMos has been developed at a low budget of $300 million.
ASEAN nations have approached India seeking to purchase major defence and weapon systems from India, including the Akash and BrahMos missiles. As has been reported earlier by The Financial Express, export of Akash and BrahMos missiles was topping the agenda of talks when 10 ASEAN leaders met during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on the eve of India’s Republic Day in 2018.
Highly placed sources have confirmed to the Financial Express Online that the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos is also in discussions with other countries, including Philippines, South Korea, Algeria, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, Singapore, and Bulgaria.
Despite interests from the ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines for buying the BrahMos missiles, informed sources have indicated that “The deals could not be finalised with any of the ASEAN countries as New Delhi did not want to antagonise China which is already exporting to countries in the region including Pakistan.”
“India has never exported any weapons systems, except armaments ordnance, which is not real defence exports,” explained a senior officer on condition of anonymity.
Says Amit Cowshish, former Financial Advisor (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, “We are not a significant exporter of arms mainly because we have very little exportable military equipment.”
Some of the countries from the ASEAN region as well Gulf countries have also expressed interest in buying ‘Akash’ missile designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), has an interception range of 25-km, which are meant to keep fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones from attacking critical installations.
As has been reported earlier, Vietnam was negotiating with India for both BrahMos and Akash missiles. While the government clarified that BrahMos was never being discussed with Vietnam, discussions related to Akash missile fell through as the pricing is one of the issues between the two countries.
“The government should have intervened to ensure the deal goes through as that would have helped India get a foothold in that country. Also, exports at this level not only boost the economy, it also gives strategic hold in the region,” said the senior officer quoted above.
During the recently concluded Aero-India 2019, Russian officials confirmed to Financial Express Online that they had no objection to export BrahMos Missiles to friendly nations.
According to Prof Srikanth Kondapalli, Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, “In the case of both Indonesia and Vietnam, Russia is already selling SU-27 fighters and Kilo Class submarines to both countries. Indonesia is keen on the air version of BrahMos from India.”
Countries like UAE have also expressed interests in both the `Made in India’ missiles. Last October DRDO had made a presentation for the `Akash’ surface to air missile system to UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi Al Falacy. The UAE after visiting the BEL facility and meeting with DRDO officials had expressed keenness on the indigenous missile system along with other platforms.
India has consciously tried balance its relationship in the Middle East and has so far not finalised deal for any system in the region and the same for the South American region. Lot of interest was generated in the South American region after the successful launch of BrahMos from SU-30 aircraft against a sea target, as many countries have opted for the Sukhoi aircraft from Russia.
BrahMos is a short-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land and is a joint venture between Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia and the DRDO. (Source:defencenews.in)


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

Made in India missiles big hit! Countries across the Globe show interest in buying BrahMos, Akash.

BrahMos supersonic missile successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

BrahMos supersonic missile successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.

BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired at 1017 hrs today, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Balasore, Odisha. The test-firing conducted from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher was part of service life extension programme for Indian Army under extreme weather condition.
The precision strike missile followed the designated trajectory and the key components functioned perfectly. BrahMos has proved again all-weather capability flying in sea-state 7 with waves as high as 9 meters. DRDO's range capability to operate in the most severe weather condition has also been validated at ITR Balasore. Senior Army officials and scientists from DRDO and BrahMos witnessed the trial.
BrahMos is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia. BrahMos missile has established itself as a major force multiplier in modern-day complex battlefields with its impeccable land-attack, anti-ship capabilities with multi-role and multi-platform abilities.
RakshaMantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has congratulated team DRDO, BrahMos and Indian Army for the successful test firing.(Source:PIB)


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

BrahMos supersonic missile successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.