The Indian Navy has got a boost from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) with a green signal for 19,000 crores deal for more than 200 Extended Range (ER) Supersonic BrahMos Missiles (ASCM). This move has been taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to give an enhanced target destroying capability to the Indian Navy.
The approval is expected to significantly bolster the naval force and mainly it is expected to address the Navy’s anti-ship and land attack capability needs and also is expected to open up export opportunities for the cruise missile for many other countries.
The deal, valued at around INR 19,000 crore, is considered a big step towards arming the Indian Navy with new-age warship capabilities. The contract between BrahMos Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence is expected to be signed in the first week of next month.
In addition to the missile’s ongoing development project with the Indian Navy, the missile is ready to make an entry into the global market. It is being exported to Philippines as per recent reports, which makes Philippines the first international customer to purchase the missile and highlights the missile’s prospective Southeast Asian market with a number for nations being interested.
Atul Rane, who is looking after BrahMos Aerospace, is targeting for $5 billion exports over a period of next ten years. After the export deal with Philippines which is worth $375 million (approx.), BrahMos Aerospace is looking forward to export large number of Cruise missiles to the global market. It is expected that the countries of South East Asia, North Africa, Gulf, as well as some Latin American countries are also looking forward to buy BrahMos Cruise missiles. Through this unique export venture would not only enhance the BrahMos missile export, but would also generate a strong sequel of export of other successful weapon systems like Akash and ATAGS howitzers from Indian Defence Industry.’ Atul Rane said.
The ₹19,000 crore deal is partially motivated by a larger government initiative to promote indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector; a strategic shift from being the world’s largest arms importer, according to the Ministry. This is crucial to India’s defence manufacturing, besides firming up the army’s artillery fire power, giving it a clearer edge over Pakistan.
The Indian Defence industry is witnessing a paradigm shift, with significant deals and projects being approved to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently cleared military procurement projects worth ₹84,560 crore, including the purchase of mid-air refuellers and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
A strong involvement of indigenisation efforts by BrahMos corporation and a high coefficient of indigenisation achieved in BrahMos missile has contributed a lot in the successful missile achievement. There are many more components which has been indiegeneously produced. It has dropped lot of foreign import reliance factors and has promoted indigenous development in the country.
One cannot but help at commending the Indian Navy’s dedication to enhancing its offensive firepower with the approval for the project to equip an existing MiG-29K squadron with the supersonic BrahMos missile.
In addition to strengthening nation’s security, these recent developments would also hone the export of many defence equipments. Importantly, the success of the export demonstration of BrahMos missile to Philippines and also the expressions of interest from other countries of south-west Asia would help in exporting of significant defence equipment and technologies of Indian origin.
Indian government commitment to defence acquisition programs as well as the push for ‘aatmanirbharta’ (self reliance) in defence manufacturing is expected to give an impetus to the growth of the defence industry that also contributes to the overall development of the country’s defence capabilities, thereby ensuring a secure and self reliant India.