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Journalism of Courage
Ten countries, including two from South America and two from the Far East, have evinced interest in the purchase of BrahMos, India’s first supersonic cruise missile. The process of the induction of the missile in the Indian Navy would start by this month-end.
‘‘This weapon is the only supersonic precision missile with a range of 290 km and a multiple launch platform capacity. For this reason several countries have shown interest in it,’’ said Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller (Research and Development), Defence Research and Development Organisation and Managing Director of the joint venture between India and Russia, BrahMos Aerospace. He, however, refused to divulge the names of the countries.
‘‘The countries have been shortlisted by both Indian and Russian governments. Deliberations are on in this matter at the top level,’’ Pillai said. The shelf-life of BrahMos was five years and it would require that much time for any other country to simulate and copy it, he said adding that ‘‘thus the export can be possible only in these five years.’’ The weapon would be constantly upgraded in this period with more potency.
He said the sale could not be done haphazardly as it was also the matter of geo-politics and could be sold only to friendly countries.
Incidentally, top officials from BrahMos had made trips to these countries in recent past, informed sources pointed out.
On the issue of induction of the missiles in naval ships, Pillai said that all tests had hundred per cent success and with the handing over of the F3 section of missile, comprising air frame and fuel tank—designed by Godrej and Boyce—it would now start the assembling of the first actual missile for Navy.
The hardware and software systems for BrahMos is being developed by 20 firms from India and seven from Russia. The assembling would take place in Hyderabad and every month one missile would be inducted in the Indian Navy, he said.
On the other BrahMos missile meant for Army, Pillai said that tests had also been carried out in this regard and they had been successful. ‘‘We have also received several specifications from Army, which we would be incorporating and by the end of this year we want to start production for it.’’ Similarly, a technical feasibility report was being prepared with the Air Force. ‘‘We may have to reduce the booster level but right now we want to install one BrahMos missile at the belly of Su-MKI, Pillai pointed out.
