Success of India's long-range cruise missile

The success of the long-range cruise missile test with an engine developed by India has given another milestone to the Indian defense sector. Before this, engines developed in cooperation with Russia were used in cruise missiles. This is the first time a completely Indian developed engine has been used. The test success of the missile fired from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha also proves that India can advance independently in the missile field.

The engine was developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment in Bengaluru using propulsion technology. The successful test missile is believed to have a range of 1000 km. The defense department does not divulge further details of this for various reasons. The new missile belongs to Russia's Saturn-engined subsonic cruise missile. Instead of the Russian engine, an indigenously manufactured Manik turbofan engine was used for the new test. Under this missile deal, India no longer needs anyone's permission to sell to other countries. This test success also opens up a business opportunity to generate crores of revenue in the missile field.

The test was successful as the missile flew low over the sea and followed a precise path to reach the target. The new missile is a precursor to India's own land- and sea-launched long-range missile with a range of 1,000-1,500 km. It will form part of the Integrated Rocket Force of the three forces. The rocket force consists of conventional cruise and ballistic missiles. India is building a rocket force mainly in the context of the ongoing conflict with China. Along with this, the Indian Defense Force has made another history. The first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been delivered to the Philippines.

The transfer is part of a $375 million deal signed between the two countries in 2022. This is the first time that India has handed over the Brahmos missile to another country. Experts consider India's delivery of missiles to the Philippines, which is under threat of China's attack, as a measure of special defensive and political significance. These missiles will be deployed on the Philippine coast to deter the threat from China. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, under the shadow of the Chinese threat, are also in talks with India to acquire BrahMos. In the past, India used to buy all the important weapons used in the defense sector from foreign countries. A huge chunk of India's defense budget used to be spent on it, but that has changed in recent times. Earlier it was announced that the weapons would be manufactured in India and exported to countries in need. The recent deals of the BrahMos missile underlines India's growing importance in the global export sector.