BrahMos

Context:

The BrahMos has been making news since past few months including the test fire of it from a Sukhoi fighter jet and Philippines which has locked up a deal with India in procuring the BrahMos missile system.

In the early 1980’s the Integrated Missile Development Programme was pioneered by Dr Kalam.
As a result of this numerous indigenous missiles were commissioned including Agni, Pruthvi, Trishul, Akash and Nag with wide capabilities.
But it was after the 1990’s especially after the Gulf war where the cruise missiles were used in the war, Indian strategic leadership felt the importance and necessity of the cruise guided missiles.
It was later in 1998 when An Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed with Russia.
It was signed between Dr Kalam, who headed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and N V Mikhailov, Russia’s then Deputy Defence Minister.
This led to the formation of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM), the Indian side holding 50.5% and the Russians 49.5%.
The first successful test fire was conducted in the year 2001, since then it has reached many milestones.

The BrahMos missile is a two-stage missile with a solid-fuel booster engine.
Its first stage accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds before detaching it.
In cruise phase, the liquid ramjet, or second stage, accelerates the missile closer to three times the speed of sound.
The missile has a low radar signature and may go in a number of directions, making it stealthy.

Source The Hindu