BrahMos missiles: Indian defence forces are all set to showcase the firepower of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile 

India is gearing up for demonstrating the massive power of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last week of November. As per reports, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are going to carry out multiple firings of the BrahMos missile system against various targets in the Indian Ocean. 

Reportedly, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is the fastest operational system in the world in its class. Currently, the DRDO has extended its range from the existing 298 km to approximately 450 km. According to an ANI report, the DRDO is seeking to boost the performance of the missile system through multiple test firings in the coming days. 

India joined the 34-nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016, following which the India-Russian joint venture BrahMost Aerospace has been working on extending the range of the missile. Over the past few days, the defence agency has tested the BrahMos missile at least three times. Last month, the BrahMos was test-fired by the Indian Navy from its INC Chennai warship at an extended range version of more than 400 km in high seas.

The defence agency has been carrying out a number of successful trials of some existing and new missile systems including the Shaurya missile system and the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missle system. On Friday, the DRDO successfully tested the indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) achieving a direct hit on a pilotless target aircraft. 

As per a 2019 report by The Hindu, the Indian government has planned a roadmap to spend around $130 billion in the next 5-7 years to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities over rival forces. From indigenously developing the defence infrastructure to procuring a wide a range of weapons, missiles, fighter jets, warships and other military equipment from countries across the world, India’s plan is aimed at investing in modernising its armed forces to effectively tackle any possible external threat.

While celebrating the festival of Diwali with soldiers at Longewala in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer on November 14, PM Modi had affirmed that the Indian Army will retaliate befittingly against anyone who casts an evil eye on the forces. He further added that the Indian forces are engaged in military exercises with other big countries as well as strategic partners to combat terrorism from ground level.

This development has amid ongoing tensions between the armed forces of India and China at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. As per reports, India and China are finalising the modalities of a plan for phased de-escalation in eastern Ladakh. A proposal is being discussed by the top commanders of both forces and once agreed upon, the disengagement process will begin in a phased manner.