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BrahMos Tested with an Indigenous Seeker

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March 23, 2018

Why in news?

BrahMos missile was recently flight-tested successfully for the first time with an indigenous seeker.

What is the BrahMos missile?

  • BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile.
  • It is a joint collaboration between India and Russia.
  • The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea-based targets.
  • Its range was initially capped at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
  • But since India’s entry into the club, the range has been extended to 450 km, and the plan is to increase it to 600km.
  • The Army and Navy have already inducted the missile.
  • The air-launched version was test-fired for the first time last year from a modified Su-30MKI aircraft.
  • The submarine-launch variants are still in their testing phase.
  • BrahMos was flight tested with an Indian-made seeker for the first time, at Pokhran test range, Rajasthan.

What is the seeker technology?

  • The seeker technology is a critical technology that determines the accuracy of a missile.
  • So far, the seeker technology had come from Russia.
  • The technology is a closely guarded secret.
  • Mastering it is a significant milestone in missile technology and would reduce import dependence.
  • The seeker was developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs.

What is the significance?

  • The missile demonstrated its supreme operational capability with the new indigenous seeker.
  • The development would be a further boost to the country’s security.
  • Indigenous - It was developed jointly by BrahMos Aerospace and DRDO; both companies have teamed up with the private sector.
  • This is particularly with an aim to bolster in-house manufacturing capability of the missile and to propel indigenisation.
  • Export - The test is a significant step in bolstering the export potential of the missile.
  • With the successful test, several South-East Asian countries have evinced interest in purchasing the missile.
  • Geo-political - Exports are significant especially since China has reportedly sold a high-tech missile tracking system to Pakistan.
  • Both Pakistan and China are also developing Air Launched Cruise Missiles.
  • The geopolitical situation is tense and recently peaked between Vietnam and Beijing.
  • China threatened to attack Vietnamese posts in the South China Sea if its efforts to explore oil fields was not called off.
  • Notably, Vietnam is one among many countries to have shown an interest in the BrahMos.

 

Source: The Hindu, Business Line

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