Indian Navy orders additional dual-role BrahMos missiles

Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with defence company Brahmos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL) for additional dual-role surface-to-surface missiles.

BAPL is a joint venture between India and Russia, making a crucial contribution to augment the new surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) generation.

The missiles come with enhanced range and dual-role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks.

The contract, valued at Rs 1,700 crore ($210.000), will further boost the indigenous production of weapons and ammunition with the active participation of the indigenous industries.

It is also expected to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy fleet assets, as emphasized by the officials

This year, the Philippine Navy also signed a contract with BAPL for the supply of shore-based anti-ship missile systems for the Philippine Navy.

The BrahMos missile has a maximum range of more than 400 kilometers and a velocity of Mach 2.8. It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land. Since late 2004, the missile has undergone several tests from a variety of platforms.

In 2017, the Indian Navy carried out a maiden firing of the land-attack version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from guided missile frigate INS Teg. The missile is notably one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world, according to the company.