Context:
India delivers 1st batch of BrahMos Cruise Missiles to the Philippines.
BrahMos Cruise Missile:
- A joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya)
- Derives its name from Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
- 2 stage Supersonic Cruise Missile
- Speed – around 2-3 Mach
- Maximum Range – 800-900 km (For BRAHMOS-ER enhanced range)
- Carrying capacity – 200-300 kg (For BRAHMOS-ER enhanced range)
- Key Features –
- Fire and Forget principle of operation.
- Long flight range (290 km) with varieties of flight trajectories.
- Low radar signature
Defence Export of India:
- India is currently exporting military hardware to around 85 countries.
- Major export items include missiles, artillery guns, rockets, armoured vehicles, etc.
- In FY 2023-24, exports reached an all-time high of ₹21,083 crores.
Initiatives to boost defence sector:
- Draft Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy: Sets the goal of achieving a turnover of $25 billion in the defence sector.
- India Defence Mart (an online platform) – Launched for companies to apply for export licenses and track their applications.
- Scheme for Promotion of Defence Exports (SPDE)
- Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020)
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct:
Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight, while cruise missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights.
Statement 2 is not correct:
Agni-V is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile, while BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile.
