BrahMos Missile Likely Used in Operation Sindhu Against Pakistan: A Display of India’s Military Precision
Unconfirmed sources indicate that India may have deployed its advanced supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, during precision strikes carried out as part of Operation Sindhu, a covert military action against terror-linked infrastructure in Pakistan. The operation is seen as a testament to the strength and unwavering resolve of the Indian Armed Forces to protect national security and territorial integrity.
India’s journey in missile development began in 1983 with the launch of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), spearheaded by the late President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Under this program, India developed several indigenous missile systems, including Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, and Nag, to strengthen its defense capabilities across land, air, and sea.
Following the Gulf War in the early 1990s, India realized the strategic need for a highly advanced anti-ship missile. In 1998, India and Russia signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop such a system. This led to the formation of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroeniya. The missile’s name, “BrahMos,” is derived from two rivers—India’s Brahmaputra and Russia’s Moskva.
BrahMos is the world’s only supersonic cruise missile system currently in operation. Known for its high precision and speed (Mach 2.8), BrahMos can be launched from land, sea, sub-sea, and air platforms and is effective in all weather and day-night conditions. The missile operates on the “Fire and Forget” principle, requiring no further guidance once launched. Its agility and high kinetic energy make it a formidable weapon against both static and moving targets.
Since its first successful test in 2001, BrahMos has been inducted into all three branches of India’s armed forces. The Navy began integrating it on warships like INS Rajput in 2005, while the Army followed suit in 2007. It has also been successfully launched from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets and submerged submarines, showcasing unmatched versatility.
Originally limited to a 290 km range due to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), BrahMos variants now reportedly exceed 900 km for land and sea launches and up to 1500 km for air-launched versions. This expanded range places key enemy installations well within striking distance.
Recently, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a BrahMos assembly and testing center in Lucknow, built at a cost of ₹300 crore over 80 acres. This state-of-the-art facility aims to produce 80–100 missiles per year, with future upgrades pushing capacity to 150 units annually. Next-gen BrahMos missiles will be lighter (around 1,290 kg compared to the current 2,900 kg) but more lethal.
Several countries including Philippines, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia have shown interest in purchasing BrahMos, with export talks underway. The missile is fast becoming a symbol of India’s defense self-reliance and technological prowess.
Operation Sindhu, if indeed powered by BrahMos strikes, underscores India’s shift toward decisive and precise counter-terror operations backed by indigenous technological excellence.
