BrahMos Tested with an Indigenous Seeker

Why in news?

BrahMos missile was recently flight-tested successfully for the first time with an indigenous seeker.

What is the BrahMos missile?

• BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile.
• It is a joint collaboration between India and Russia.
• The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea-based targets.
• Its range was initially capped at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
• But since India’s entry into the club, the range has been extended to 450 km, and the plan is to increase it to 600km.
• The Army and Navy have already inducted the missile.
• The air-launched version was test-fired for the first time last year from a modified Su-30MKI aircraft.
• The submarine-launch variants are still in their testing phase.
• BrahMos was flight tested with an Indian-made seeker for the first time, at Pokhran test range, Rajasthan.

What is the seeker technology?

• The seeker technology is a critical technology that determines the accuracy of a missile.
• So far, the seeker technology had come from Russia.
• The technology is a closely guarded secret.
• Mastering it is a significant milestone in missile technology and would reduce import dependence.
• The seeker was developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs.

What is the significance?

• The missile demonstrated its supreme operational capability with the new indigenous seeker.
• The development would be a further boost to the country’s security.
• Indigenous - It was developed jointly by BrahMos Aerospace and DRDO; both companies have teamed up with the private sector.
• This is particularly with an aim to bolster in-house manufacturing capability of the missile and to propel indigenisation.
• Export - The test is a significant step in bolstering the export potential of the missile.
• With the successful test, several South-East Asian countries have evinced interest in purchasing the missile.
• Geo-political - Exports are significant especially since China has reportedly sold a high-tech missile tracking system to Pakistan.
• Both Pakistan and China are also developing Air Launched Cruise Missiles.
• The geopolitical situation is tense and recently peaked between Vietnam and Beijing.
• China threatened to attack Vietnamese posts in the South China Sea if its efforts to explore oil fields was not called off.
• Notably, Vietnam is one among many countries to have shown an interest in the BrahMos.

Source: The Hindu, Business Line