How we defend our long coastline.

The story of how Brahmos missiles guard the long coastline of India and the waters around it. 

Working on the 'Fire & Forget' principle, Brahmos is the first ramjet supersonic cruise missile stealth weapon in the world. The destructiveness of the cruise is reflected in the state of the art features like a universal launching platform, long flight with varieties of trajectories, low radar signature and pinpoint accuracy multiplying the lethality due to the large kinetic energy on impact. Instilling fear in the deep heart of enemies, Brahmos single-handedly provide a wholesome security net to the nation.

Protector of the Indian Ocean

Recently, the ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command)of the Indian Navy released a video of the missile strike capability of the Brahmos cruise missile. Showcasing the pinpoint accuracy of the missile system, the command said, "Indian Navy and ANC yet again demonstrate combat readiness by successfully destroying targets at sea through the anti-ship version of Brahmos at Andaman & Nicobar Island on 27 Apr 2022".

String of Pearls

The recent attempt of China to limit the power of India with 'String of Pearls' has forced Indian security strategists to counter the Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region in a more assertive & strategic way.

The Chinese presence in the region is a grave concern for the security of India. Further, its aggressive push for expanding footprints in the strategic location and ground realization of the theory of 'string of pearls' by 'capturing' strategic ports through 'debt trap diplomacy' in the region will cause greater damage to the security in the future conflicts.

Already, China has captured the strategic port location in the region through its debt-trap diplomacy. The Doraleh multipurpose port in Djibouti, Gwadar and Karachi deep water ports in Pakistan, Hambantota and CICT Terminal in Sri Lanka and Kyaukpyu port in Myanmar has already been completed and the theory of string of pearls been realised.

Brahmos - The Silent Killer

Although India is strategically pushing for its diplomacy to counter the 'port capturing diplomacy' with a 'mutual development program', the presence of the Chinese can only be countered by building a strategic deterrent defence force and the Brahmos cruise gives the highest edge of offensive strike capabilities against any country of the world.

Since 2013, the Indian Navy warships have inducted eight Brahmos cruise systems in their arsenals of missiles. The deadly combination of the navy's destroyer warships and Brahmos stealth capabilities makes it a silent killer machine in the region. Its capacity to fly as low as 10 metres above sea level makes it stealth as it 'neutralises' the radar defence system to detect the missile.

Further, the integration of Brahmos in the Su-30 MKI fighter jets gives another nightmare to enemies in the waters. Its capacity to fly up to 290-km with supersonic speed all through the flight provides a full security net to the 7,516.6 km Indian coastlines in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Moreover, the 3 Mach speed, capacity to carry a warhead weighing 200 to 300 kgs, quicker engagement and non-interception capacity makes it a leader in cruise missile technology.

Strategic Brahmos Alliance

Securing the Indo-Pacific from the Chinese dominance in the region, India has started to form a Brahmos alliance with the region's neighbours. In a recent formation of such an alliance, India has entered into an agreement with the Philippines for the sale of Brahmos. The $374 million deal is an attempt by India to counterbalance the Pakistan-China security nexus to increase the military presence in the close neighbour of respective countries. It will not only provide a good market to the Indian defence industry but will give the Chinese the taste of their own medicine.

The Brahmos, named by combining the name of the Indian river Brahmaputra and the Russian river of Moskva has inculcated the true character of both rivers which is the 'destructiveness' of Brahmaputra and steadiness of Moskva. The silent killing machine machine is truly the guardian of Indian waters which gives both offensive and second-strike capabilities to the Indian defence system.

- Rahul Gupta in TFIPOST.

My take

A measure that was long overdue!

Tailpiece.

The day had begun at 3 with Lekha's cellphone alarm giving us the shake up, went about our chores and were ready on the dot at 5. Sajeesh had reached by then and we kicked off for Kochi without much ado. The traffic was comparatively less and we reached the Indian Coffee House opposite Mallan's Clinic by 8. Had breakfast of dosas and shifted across the highway. We were, thus, there at the clinic by about a half past 8.

The doctor and his staff were a trifle late. In fact, the woman scavenger, Rinjoo, opened up the doctor's consulting room for us to sit. The review - the healing of the wound is going fine - and the removal of stitches took about a half an hour. After a coffee and snack, we were on our return trip by about a 10' past 11. 

Looked up my cousin at her office and resumed our journey by 12. Had lunch by about a half past 12 at the Periyar restaurant and headed for home. Picked up our fruit basket and visited the bank before reaching home at a half past 3.

It was a quiet evening thereafter.