. India is at the learning stage for many of the complex technologies required to create a BMD system. DRDO’s record in producing weapon systems has not been encouraging as exemplified by the delayed induction of the LCA, the failure of the Arjun MBT and the virtual rejection of the INSAS rifle by the Indian Army. But leapfrogging on the success achieved by scientists in space-related technologies, DRDO has excelled in producing potent ballistic missiles that have enhanced India’s strategic options. Perhaps it would be wiser to channel the nation’s resources to an area of strength, rather than to experimenting in a hugely expensive sector where even the achievement of success is not a guarantor of increased security. Many other questions also arise.
The Ballistic Missile Defence System is a double-tiered system—one being Prithvi Air Defence Missile, which helps India to intercept any airborne missile from as far as 5,000 km away, while the second Advance Air Defence is a lower altitude interceptor missile which can intercept an incoming missile from as low as 30 km and destroy it. India is part of the elite club that has the missile guarding system and apart from India, only the United States, Russia and Israel has such a system in place.
BrahMos is also one of the finest supersonic cruise missiles that India has. The versatility of this missile makes it capable of launching it from a submarine, ship, aircraft or from land. This missile has been developed under a joint venture between the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India’s DRDO. It is the world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile that is in operation currently. India is also working on developing BrahMos II which will further increase India’s aerial strike capacity in the coming times.
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