Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared the successful execution of Operation Sindoor as a testament to India’s military prowess and the world-class capabilities of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile today.
Speaking at the inauguration of a Rs 300 crore BrahMos production facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, Adityanath affirmed that the operation had sent a “clear message” to the world, especially Pakistan, regarding India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism. “I would like to congratulate the Indian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh for the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’,” Adityanath said, adding that India had showcased the “formidable power of the BrahMos missile” to the global community. The high-precision BrahMos, developed jointly by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, boasts a range of up to 400 kilometres and can achieve speeds of Mach 2.8. With its “fire and forget” technology, the missile can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms. “You must have seen a glimpse of the BrahMos missile during Operation Sindoor,” the Chief Minister remarked. “If you didn’t, then just ask the people of Pakistan about its power.” The newly opened BrahMos facility is projected to manufacture 80 to 100 missiles annually and includes an Aerospace Integration and Testing Centre. The upgraded version of the missile, weighing 1,290 kilograms compared to the current 2,900 kilograms, will offer a longer range and allow Indian Air Force jets like the Sukhoi to carry up to three BrahMos missiles per sortie. These next-generation variants are expected to be ready for deployment within a year. Reaffirming India’s hardened policy on terrorism, Adityanath said, “The problem of terrorism cannot be solved until we crush it completely. Terrorism can never understand the language of love. It must be answered in its own language. Through Operation Sindoor, India has given a message to the whole world.” The BrahMos unit is located within the strategic Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which includes nodes in Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot. Uttar Pradesh is the second Indian state, after Tamil Nadu, to host a dedicated defence corridor. The initiative aims to reduce India’s reliance on defence imports and attract foreign investment in indigenous military technology.
What is a BrahMos Missile?
The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya under the joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. Its name is derived from two rivers: the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva in Russia.
Key Features of BrahMos Missile:
- Speed: Up to Mach 2.8 (almost three times the speed of sound), making it one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world.
- Range: Initially 290 km, extended to over 400 km in newer versions.
- Launch Platforms: Can be launched from land, sea, air, and potentially submarines.
- Guidance System: Uses a “fire and forget” mechanism, meaning once launched, it doesn’t require further guidance.
- Payload: Carries a conventional warhead weighing up to 300 kilograms.
- Precision: Known for high accuracy with a circular error probability (CEP) of less than 1 metre.
Strategic Importance:
- Capable of striking high-value targets with precision, such as enemy command centres, naval vessels, and bunkers.
- Enhances India’s deterrent capability against regional adversaries.
- Adapted for use by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Future variants include lighter and longer-range models, suitable for fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, which can carry multiple missiles at once.
Prime Minister Modi’s doctrine, now publicly reinforced through the cross-border strikes and BrahMos expansion, underscores a new policy: “Any act of terrorism going forward will be considered an act of war.”