A proposal for the acquisition of the long-range missiles for the army and air force will be discussed at the highest level in Delhi

India's army and air force are set to acquire 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, local media reported on Wednesday. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) hasapprovedthe procurement of the advanced missiles, according to India Today TV, citing unnamed sources.

Once approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the missiles will be incorporated into existing units and deployed in terrains such as desert and high-altitude regions, the ANI news agency reported.

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint Indo-Russian venture launched in 2005. It was named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. India's Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%.

The BrahMos missile has become a crucial part of the Indian military's arsenal. It is designed for high-precision, long-range strikes against ground targets and can engage threats on land, sea, and underwater platforms.

Initially, the missile had a range of 290km (180 miles), but continuous upgrades have increased its range and enhanced its strategic capabilities. In 2023, the Indian Air Force successfully tested a BrahMos cruise missile with an extended range of 450km (279 miles), which was fitted on a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet.

However, as per reports, even this capacity has been significantly enhanced - from approximately 300km (186 miles) to 800km (497 miles). A proposal has also been submitted by the two forces for additional BrahMos cruise missiles, which is essentially a repeat order for the same type of weaponry currently acquired by the Indian Navy, a source was quoted as saying in the India Today report.

The developments come after Russia and India signed a new defensepactin February this year. The new agreement streamlines logistics and enhances cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations, facilitating joint military operations and activities. Additionally, during last month's Aero India event, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh describedRussiaas a "longtime and reliable partner" in the security and defense sector.

India remains one of the world's largest importers of weapons, with Russia being a long-standing supplier and technological partner. Russia has provided India with some of its most advanced systems, including the Su-30MKI fighter and BrahMos missiles, which are jointly developed by the two countries.

Currently, around 60% of the Indian military's equipment is of Russian origin. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, the country is also working towards indigenization of its defense sector and has achieved success in some areas with support from private players.

(RT.com)