Zarvan
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Pegged as the world’s fastest and deadliest cruise missile, the highly manoeuvrable BRAHMOS is capable of engaging sea and land-based targets at extended ranges.
India, with its vast coastline of over 7,000 km, has enjoyed a unique geostrategic position in Asia. While the Indian Ocean has been regarded as its strategic backyard, the chain of Andaman and Nicobar islands on the east and the Lakshadweep islands on the west has helped the country maintain a forward maritime presence in the region.
With the Indian Navy rightfully aspiring to achieve “blue water” capability, the maritime prowess of India is undergoing a sea-change with the inclusion of modern naval platforms starting from aircraft carriers to nuclear and conventional submarines, missile frigates to small patrol craft along with cutting-edge weapons and systems.
An important tactical asset that has become a unique force multiplier for Indian Navy in recent times is the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile system. Pegged as the world’s fastest and deadliest cruise missile, the highly manoeuvrable BRAHMOS is capable of engaging sea and land-based targets at extended ranges.
In its anti-ship configuration, BRAHMOS is capable of flying just 3-4 meters above the sea surface, and hence can launch a surprise attack on enemy surface ships. The missile offers a wide range of strike options to the Navy as well – from sea-to-sea to sea-to-land to coast-to-sea and sub-sea-to-land (underwater version).
It has also proved its capability of being fired from a static or mobile naval platform in solo or salvo mode to engage multiple targets in different directions. The high speed, high precision missile carrying a large 300-kg warhead straightaway bangs on its target, thereby completely annihilating it.
The state-of-the-art 290-km-range weapon has been inducted in the Indian Navy since 2005. Already deployed on many of the Navy’s frontline platforms, BRAHMOS is also going to arm many future surface warfare ships in coming years.
With the entire Asia-Pacific region gaining centre stage in the rapidly evolving geostrategic landscape, the Indian Navy, by possessing a powerful strike missile like BRAHMOS, has further bolstered its maritime strength and presence while preparing itself for any possible maritime conflict in future.
And the invincible BRAHMOS has emerged as an ultimate game changer for India in deciding the outcome of any such future conflict.
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/indian-navys-ultimate-game-changer-brahmos/981859
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