Can we expect a BrahMoS hypersonic version soon?
India and Russia, in a major strategic partnership, have decided to work on the BrahMoS hypersonic version. This is a huge step for both nations as each tries to build their partnership while also competing to be a leading global power.
Russia considering tech transfer for the BrahMos-2K Hypersonic Cruise missile program with Indiahttps://t.co/WBEKuwv64J@DRDO_India pic.twitter.com/XUwYvoN6A4
— idrw (@idrwalerts) April 1, 2023
It is said that in a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, a possibility was discussed to work on the hypersonic version of BrahMos or BrahMos-II missile.
What is the BrahMos missile?
The BrahMos missile that is currently in use by the Indian Army and Navy is a supersonic cruise missile. It is a missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, land, or aircraft. It is one of the most powerful and fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world.
The missile was a combined effort of Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM) and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who together formed the BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture.
The name BrahMos is also the combination of two rivers- Brahmaputra in India and Moskva in Russia.
What is the BrahMoS hypersonic version?
A missile can be classified based on its speed, which is measured in Mach. Mach is a measurement of speed that is used especially for aircrafts.
Starting from the subsonic speed range, the highest range is the high-hypersonic. The classification based on speed is the following-
| Speed Range | Mach Number |
| Subsonic | < 0.8 |
| Transonic | 0.8–1.2 |
| Supersonic | 1.2–5 |
| Hypersonic | 5–10 |
| High- hypersonic | 10–25 |
The BrahMos- II is expected to be a better and improved version of the first BrahMos. It is expected to travel at a speed of Mach 7 with a range of 300 miles or 480 kms. The earlier version has a speed of Mach 2.8 and a range of 290 kms. This version will also have the ability to be launched from all three modes- air, land, and ships.
With the ability to cover long distances in a very short time as well as be extremely effective in causing a dent to the enemy, the hypersonic version will be a huge win for India.
With this advanced weapon system, India will become a leading name in the defense sector globally.
India, in 2016 joined the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime), which makes it possible for it to have missiles that are capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km. So, even though India can have such a missile, it is not allowed to export it to other countries, as per the guidelines.
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